Nebraska’s Online Sports Betting Bill Clears First Hurdle
Nebraska’s push for online sports betting took a step forward. Senator Eliot Bostar’s bill, LR20CA, passed the Senate General Affairs Committee with a 6-2 vote. Now, it heads to the full Senate for debate. If it clears that hurdle, voters could decide on legalizing online betting in November 2026.
Tough Road Ahead in the Senate
The bill needs strong support to move on. Specifically, it requires two-thirds of the Senate (33 out of 49 senators) in three separate votes.
That’s a tall order in Nebraska’s single-chamber system.
If it passes, the earliest launch for online betting would be 2027. However, public hearings showed plenty of pushback. Some lawmakers back it as a preemptive strike against broader gambling industry moves. Still, others worry about addiction risks.
What the Bill Brings to Nebraska
LR20CA aims to pair up to six online betting platforms with licensed horse racing tracks. Most tax revenue would fund the Nebraska Environmental Trust and education.
Meanwhile, a rival bill, LB 421 from Senator Clouse, suggests using 90% of that cash for property tax relief instead. Plus, there’s debate over a current ban on betting on in-state college teams’ home games. Clouse’s plan would lift it, but that’s still up in the air.
Nebraskans want online betting and data proves it. GeoComply tracked 3.9 million login attempts to regulated betting sites during the NFL season. Plus, 42,000 residents crossed into Iowa, where online betting’s legal, to place wagers. That’s money leaving the state.
Experts estimate legalization could bring $1.6 billion in annual handle and $32 million in taxes. For comparison, Nebraska’s in-person betting, legal since 2020, only started in June 2023 at places like WarHorse Casino in Lincoln.
Past Lessons, Future Stakes
Nebraska’s gambling story has twists. In 2020, voters okayed in-person betting via Initiatives 429, 430, and 431—20% tax and all. Mobile betting was in the mix then, but lawmakers cut it to win support. Fast forward to 2024: Bostar tried with LR3CA and LB13, only to stall.
Now, LR20CA’s the latest shot. Opposition’s loud—51 against, 3 for at hearings, citing addiction woes. Yet, polls from Sports Betting Alliance show 59% of residents want it, 65% if taxes ease property bills. Nearby Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas already cash in online. Missouri’s next by December 2025. Nebraska’s losing ground.
The legislative session ends June 9, but bills can carry over to 2026. So, there’s time, sort of. If LR20CA fails, industry-led ballot pushes could take over.
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