Despite facing dozens of opponents during a committee hearing, a bill to take Nebraska sports betting online is heading to the Senate floor.
Sen. Eliot Bostar guided LR 20CA through the General Affairs Committee this week with a 6-2 vote. Now, it heads to the unicameral legislature’s Senate floor, where the Nebraska sports betting bill needs to achieve three separate two-thirds votes.
If it passes the legislature, it then would head to the 2026 ballot. Nebraska voters approved casino gaming, including in-person sports betting, in 2020.
The legislative session runs until June 9, but bills can carry over into the 2026 session.
Nebraska sports betting basics
Bostar’s bill would allow the six casinos in the Cornhusker State to partner with an online sports betting operator. LB 421, a bill that would provide a framework for the industry if voters approved it, did not advance out of committee.
Bostar told the committee hearing he believes the state is losing up to $32 million in tax revenue each year.
Most of the tax revenue would go toward the state’s education system and the Nebraska Environmental Trust Fund.
Gambling companies waiting
Sen. Rick Holdcroft told the Kearney Hub that a casino executive told him the gambling companies would launch a ballot initiative if Bostar’s measure fails. Holdcroft still voted no, citing problem gambling increases with the launch of casino gambling in the state.
Other lawmakers voted for Bostar’s bill, hoping to control the industry.
“I’ve got a lot of heartburn about mobile sports betting,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said. “But if we don’t do this, they will put it on the ballot. And it will be more expansive than this.”
Missouri proponents ran a similar initiative last year, which voters barely approved with 50.05% of the vote.
Governor supports issue
Gov. Jim Pillen indicated support for sports betting in July 2024.
That was before a special session aimed at helping reduce the property tax burden on residents.
Lawmakers did not take up a bill that addressed sports betting in the special session.
