Nebraska has had legalised sports betting operational for over three years, but online sports wagering has remained out of reach—until now.

The Cornhusker State was among the first to take a bold step by legalising land-based sports gambling in May 2021. However, it has largely resisted the idea of expanding this activity, opting instead to restrict it to the Grand Island Casino Resort and Harrah’s Columbus.

Bringing Online Betting to Nebraska at Last

So, what’s new in Nebraska? The Legislature’s General Affairs Committee has recently advanced Legislative Resolution 3CA with a 5-2 vote, signalling strong support for the measure among lawmakers. The purpose of 3CA is to expand sports betting to include online gambling in the state.

The plan is to place the proposal on the ballot for the general election, where, if it gains enough popular support, it could amend the constitution and legalise sports gambling. Measures that reach the ballot tend to receive substantial backing, particularly where sports gambling is concerned.

However, Nebraska lawmakers must act swiftly, as the window of opportunity is closing quickly. If they miss the current window, the earliest the proposal could be put to voters is in 2026.

The proposal has its critics, but the majority of legislators believe that its current wording is sufficient to place it on the ballot in 2025. They also feel confident they can fine-tune it if it passes through all legislative channels and gains voter approval next year.

There are compelling reasons to pursue this course, as the legalisation of online sports gambling could generate an additional $32 million in tax revenue for the state—an amount that is far from insignificant and certainly a strong incentive. Nebraska does not have a long history of opposing sports gambling, especially since the federal ban on the activity was lifted in 2018.

Lawmakers See Appeal in Potential Tax Windfall Despite Differences

For instance, Governor Jim Pillen had already stated, even before land-based betting was legalised in the Cornhusker State, that he would not seek to block the matter if it reached his desk. However, he acknowledged that it might be preferable to leave it for future legislative sessions to avoid potential opposition.

The potential for additional revenue is highly appealing. For example, committee members Senators Jana Hughes of Seward and Tom Brewer of Gordon were initially somewhat opposed, but they conceded that the potential financial windfall for the state made a compelling argument in itself.

While the matter is not yet finalised, the progress of 3CA has been promising.