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Nebraska election officials approved two citizen driven petitions that seek to legalize online sports betting, authorizing supporters to begin collecting signatures in an effort to place the question on the November ballot.
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Nebraska Secretary of State Robert Evnen office cleared the final language after reviewing and recommending revisions, allowing circulation of both petitions statewide.
The effort follows several unsuccessful attempts in the legislature to authorize digital wagering. Backers shifted strategy to the ballot initiative process, led by an advocacy coalition that includes WarHorse Gaming and the Sports Betting Alliance.
“Amend the Nebraska Constitution to state that laws may be enacted allowing sports wagers to be placed within the State of Nebraska through an internet-based platform offered by an authorized gaming operator,” the constitutional petition states.
Current law permits sports betting only at physical sportsbook locations inside licensed commercial casinos. The new proposal would extend wagering access through mobile platforms while keeping oversight tied to the existing casino structure.
Each licensed casino could operate or partner with as many as two online sportsbooks under the plan. Technology infrastructure would also be required to remain inside state borders, with servers located within Nebraska.
To qualify for the ballot, organizers must secure signatures equal to 10 percent of registered voters statewide for the constitutional amendment, estimated at about 125,000 people. A companion statutory measure requires support from 7 percent of voters, or roughly 88,000 signatures.
Both petitions must also meet a distribution test requiring at least 5 percent support in 38 of Nebraska 93 counties.
“If you’re a citizen interested in signing the position, you should see somebody out and about within the next week or two,” said Lynne McNally, government relations director at WarHorse Casinos.
A related referendum would direct most tax proceeds from online sports wagering to the Property Tax Credit Fund, which lawmakers use to offset homeowner property taxes.
Casino gaming revenue has already exceeded early projections, reducing property tax bills on a 200,000 dollar home by roughly 250 dollars in 2024. Governor Jim Pillen said deposits into the relief fund ran 20 million dollars above expectations last fall.
If voters approve the measure, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would be required to finalize rules governing online sports wagering by June 1, 2027.