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A grassroots effort in Nebraska is trying to make online sports betting a question for voters in 2026. Advocates believe the time has come for residents to place wagers legally on their phones instead of relying on out-of-state options or unregulated sites.
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Supporters of the petition argue Nebraskans are already betting on sports, but many are doing so in ways that send money elsewhere. Some drive to Iowa or Colorado, others use offshore sites, and a growing number mask their location with VPNs.
Lynne McNally of WarHorse Casinos, which runs properties in Omaha and Lincoln, said the effort is about keeping revenue at home.
“The bottom line is, you’re allowing tax money to go to Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, just like with the casinos. People are using VPNs, and they’re disguising their location, pretending they’re in Iowa,” McNally said.
Advocates say Nebraska could collect around $32 million a year in gambling taxes by regulating mobile betting. To get the measure before voters, petition organizers must gather names from 10% of the state’s registered voters, roughly 125,000 signatures.
For perspective, the national online sports betting industry has grown into a $1.6 billion market, and nearby states are already benefiting. That contrast has become a major talking point for campaigners.
The current push comes after Legislative Resolution 20CA, a proposal to let voters decide in 2026, fell short earlier this year. The measure advanced out of committee but was blocked on the floor by a filibuster. Lawmakers eventually pulled the bill when it became clear there weren’t enough votes to break the deadlock.
Sen. Dunixi Guereca, a supporter of the earlier proposal, said the failure showed why a citizen initiative is necessary. He and other advocates argue Nebraska is falling behind and losing out on both tax money and consumer protections.