Residents of Nebraska are set to vote in November on a measure that would legalize online sports betting in the state.
The Secretary of State’s office confirmed on August 21 that it has certified two petitions related to online sports wagering. One petition seeks to amend the state constitution to authorize online sports betting, while the other proposes a statutory framework for its regulation.
Currently, Nebraska only allows in-person betting at approved retail sportsbooks located at licensed racetracks. The proposed regulatory framework aims to modify this by enabling local racinos to partner with up to two online betting companies, thereby facilitating mobile wagering across the state.
The push for legalization is spearheaded by a group named Tax Relief Nebraska, which is backed by sportsbooks and casinos. Both petitions have successfully met the necessary signature thresholds to appear on the ballot for the November 3, 2026 general election. State officials are required to finalize the ballot by September 11. Public hearings on the measures will take place in each of the state's three congressional districts, with dates yet to be announced.
Should voters approve the legislation in November, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission will establish corresponding rules and regulations by June 1, 2027.
To qualify for the ballot, the petitions had to meet specific signature requirements. The constitutional amendment needed valid signatures from at least 10% of registered voters in Nebraska (127,054 signatures) and from 5% of voters in 38 of the state’s 93 counties. The statutory initiative required signatures from at least 7% of registered voters (88,938 signatures) with a similar county distribution.
The Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that the Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment petition achieved 138,473 valid signatures, while the Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative garnered 96,918 valid signatures, exceeding the necessary thresholds. The state ceased the verification process once both petitions surpassed 110% of their required totals.
Recent reports indicated that the constitutional amendment had surpassed 201,000 signatures, with the regulation initiative accumulating around 146,000 signatures.
Jordan McGrain, a political consultant for Tax Relief Nebraska, expressed gratitude to those who signed the petitions, stating, “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.”
The advancement of the ballot measure follows attempts by lawmakers to legalize online betting in previous years. In 2025, legislation proposed by Senator Eliot Bostar aimed to place online sports wagering on the 2026 election ballot. Although it received bipartisan support and was initially approved by the unicameral legislature with a 27-16 vote, Bostar later withdrew the proposal amid opposition, leading to its indefinite postponement in April.
Tax Relief Nebraska has worked towards the ballot initiative since early 2026, receiving support and funding from major online sports betting operators and the in-state WarHorse Casino, managed by Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development arm of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Financial disclosures with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission reveal substantial contributions from notable sportsbooks to the petition campaigns, with both FanDuel and DraftKings investing approximately $3.5 million in the initiative.
Lynne McNally, the Government Relations Director at WarHorse Casino, indicated that the operator is in discussions with various sportsbooks, including FanDuel, DraftKings, and BetMGM, about potential partnerships if online sports betting is approved. All these operators are members of the Sports Betting Alliance (SBA). Jeremy Kudon, the chairman of the SBA, expressed confidence in the likelihood of the measures passing during an August statement.
