Nebraska Sports Betting Expansion Bill Moves Forward to Full Senate Vote
Nebraska online sports betting moves closer to public vote as the Senate General Affairs Committee advances LR20CA by a 6-2 vote. If approved, the measure will appear on the November 2026 ballot.
Basketball player in white jersey
The proposed constitutional amendment would extend Nebraska's existing retail sports betting framework to include online wagering. Key aspects include:
- Allowing the state's six casinos to partner with one online sports betting operator each
- Allocating 90% of tax revenue to property tax relief through the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund
- Removing betting restrictions on in-state college sports
- Maintaining the current 20% tax rate from retail sports betting
For final approval, the bill must pass three separate Senate votes, each requiring a two-thirds majority (30 of 49 Senators). If successful, the measure moves to Governor Jim Pillen for signature before reaching voters in 2026.
Senator Eliot Bostar's constitutional amendment (LR20CA) works alongside Senator Stan Clouse's LB 421, which provides the regulatory framework. While some legislators express concerns about expanded gambling, others note that casinos may pursue a referendum independently if the legislative route fails, similar to recent events in Missouri.
The initiative represents a significant expansion of Nebraska's gaming industry, which currently only permits retail sports betting at licensed casino locations.