Nebraska voters will decide the fate of online sports betting this election after the Secretary of State‘s office certified two related ballot petitions, clearing the way for a statewide vote on legalizing mobile betting in the state.
Tax Relief Nebraska, a group advocating for Nebraska sports betting, got the required number of signatures to put the issues on the ballot in November approved, Secretary of State Bob Evnen announced Friday. The two measures include a constitutional amendment and a statute regarding regulation.
“We are grateful to every Nebraskan who participated in the process and signed our petitions,” Jordan McGrain, a Tax Relief Nebraska sponsor, told the Nebraska Examiner. “We believe voters will agree that a legal and regulated online sports wagering marketplace will keep the money in Nebraska, generating new revenue for local communities and millions of dollars in property tax relief.”
In-person sports betting is already legal at racinos in Nebraska.
How Nebraska got it done
The Secretary of State’s office announced that to qualify for the ballot, the constitutional amendment required valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters in Nebraska and at least 5% of registered voters in 38 counties. The petition met that threshold.
“The Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment petition collected at least 138,473 valid signatures,” the release read. “Petition organizers collected valid signatures from at least 5% of registered voters in 64 counties.”
The statutory petition involving regulation required valid signatures from at least 7% of registered voters in Nebraska and at least 5% of registered voters in 38 counties. That also met the threshold.
“Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative petition collected at least 96,918 valid signatures,” according to the release. “Petition organizers collected valid signatures from at least 5% of registered voters in 55 counties.”
Despite claims of potential fraudulent signatures from the Lancaster County Election Commissioner, Tax Relief Nebraska remained confident.
Nebraska online sports betting details
Online sports betting is now in the hands of Nebraska residents come Nov. 3.
The constitutional amendment would change Neb. Const. Art. III, Sec. 24 to allow laws permitting internet-based sports wagering by authorized gaming operators. The statutory initiative would do the following:
- Amends the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act to define “online sports wagering platform.”
- Allows operators up to two skins per racino for up to 12 total platforms. Multiple sportsbook operators contributed to Tax Relief Nebraska.
- Requires in-state servers.
- Sets a June 1, 2027 deadline for the Racing and Gaming Commission to adopt rules.
What happens next
The Secretary of State’s office is set to hold public hearings in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts, while also producing an informational brochure about the ballot measures. The dates and locations will be announced at a later date.
The office must certify the 2026 general election ballot by Sept. 11, with all petitions, including the sports betting measures, expected to be processed by then.
