The initiative to broaden sports betting in Nebraska, extending it from the five racetrack casinos to online platforms, claims to have amassed sufficient public signatures to present this issue to voters come November.
Tax Relief Nebraska has gathered over 201,000 signatures backing a constitutional ballot measure, aimed at enabling Nebraskans to vote on amending the state’s legal framework for online sports betting. For the proposed amendment to appear on the ballot, approximately 127,000 of the signatures submitted must be validated by Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen’s office.
The organization submitted its completed signature forms to Evnen on June 26, well ahead of the July 3 deadline.
Sportsbooks Take Charge
Sparking a shift in the industry, Nebraska legalized in-person sports betting in 2020 via legislation that permitted slot machines and table games at licensed horse racetracks. The stipulation requiring physical attendance for sports wagering aims to encourage patrons to visit casinos, where they can also engage in other games and betting activities.
The restrictions on online sports betting have significantly curtailed Nebraska’s potential tax revenue from expanded gambling opportunities, as many bettors travel to neighboring states where online sports betting is lawful. Others have opted for offshore sportsbooks or informal betting methods.
Due to the legislature’s repeated failure to advance a bill for an online sports betting referendum, major sportsbook entities including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Fanatics have collectively contributed over $7 million to support Tax Relief Nebraska.
This sports betting initiative is backed by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, which operates both WarHorse Gaming Lincoln and WarHorse Casino Omaha—two key players in the state’s gaming market.
The proposal from Tax Relief Nebraska advocates for the establishment of online sports betting and stipulates that 70% of the generated state tax revenues be allocated toward property tax relief, aligning with the existing distribution of casino taxes.
Should enough signatures receive certification and the amendment reaches the ballot, it would require a simple majority (over 50%) to pass.
Emerging Opposition
The movement for online sports betting in Nebraska faces resistance from the Nebraska Family Alliance, a nonprofit committed to promoting conservative values and protecting “family, freedom, and life.”
“To present this as a tax relief measure, when in reality it’s largely financed by out-of-state gambling firms, is misleading and raises significant concerns regarding electoral integrity,” stated Nate Grasz, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance.
On the contrary, Tax Relief Nebraska posits that online sports betting could bring in an additional $87 million in state tax revenue within the first five years following its launch.
As of April, retail sports betting has yielded gross revenue totaling less than $4 million.