Nebraska could put online sports betting in front of voters on November 3, 2026, after Tax Relief Nebraska filed about 350,000 signatures for two linked ballot measures.
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Nebraska already has legal sports betting, but only in a narrow form. Bettors must visit a licensed racetrack casino to place wagers. Retail betting started in 2023 after lawmakers approved LB 561 in 2021, but mobile betting stayed outside state law due to constitutional limits.
Tax Relief Nebraska wants voters to change that. Election officials now need to validate the petitions before the online sports betting question can reach the 2026 general election ballot.
The higher signature bar applies to the constitutional amendment. Nebraska requires valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters, plus support from at least 10% of registered voters in 38 of 93 counties. Campaign totals appear well above the estimated 127,054 signature requirement, but validation still decides ballot access. The related statutory measure needs signatures from 7% of registered voters.
Approval of both measures would let authorized gaming operators, or contracted online sportsbook platforms, offer mobile sports betting under the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act. Players would need to be 21 or older and located inside Nebraska when placing bets.
The structure also keeps the market tied to local casinos. Each casino could partner with up to two online sportsbook operators, which means Nebraska could have as many as 10 mobile sportsbooks statewide.
Tax relief sits at the center of the proposal. The statutory measure would send 70% of online sports betting revenue to property tax credits, using the same allocation model Nebraska applies to casino taxes. The statute only works if voters also approve the constitutional amendment.
Supporters argue the current setup leaves money outside Nebraska. Iowa, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming and Missouri already allow online or mobile sports betting, and Nebraska bettors can cross state lines or use legal apps once they leave Nebraska.
The access issue also helps the campaign argument. Nebraska has only five casinos, so retail-only wagering leaves many rural residents far from a legal sportsbook.
WarHorse Casinos has already named major platform targets. Lynne McNally, WarHorse Head of Government Relations and public spokesperson, said WarHorse plans to partner with DraftKings and FanDuel if voters approve online betting. She said WarHorse also has talks with BetMGM.
“We’re optimistic that if we’re on the ballot in November, we should be seeing legalised mobile sports betting after that,” McNally said.
Nebraska retail sports betting generated about $9.3 million in 2025, according to the American Gaming Association. Supporters estimate mobile betting could bring in more than $30 million per year in gaming taxes. A separate Eilers & Krejcik Gaming report also estimated nearly $87 million in new state tax revenue over five years, with around $61 million flowing to property tax credits under the proposed 70% allocation.
Opponents see a different risk. They warn that phone-based betting could raise gambling addiction concerns, especially through app access, heavy advertising and in-game micro-bets. Responsible gambling advocates also point to young adults as a group that needs stronger protection if Nebraska opens the market.