Nebraska's Secretary of State's office has certified two online sports betting initiatives, putting both on the statewide ballot for 3 November. The constitutional petition collected 138,473 valid signatures across 64 counties, the statutory one 96,918 signatures across 55 counties. Both clear the required thresholds.
What the measures do
The constitutional amendment rewrites Article III, Section 24 and would let lawmakers legalize and regulate internet sports betting. Current law requires the bettor to be physically present in the state to place a wager. The statutory measure sets the operating rules: licensed operators could take online bets directly or through platform providers. Servers have to sit inside Nebraska, and no operator gets more than two platforms.
The Racing and Gaming Commission is required to adopt rules by 1 June 2027, while the statutory measure takes effect 1 January 2027. Winnings would be checked against the state's debt collection system before payout.
What Nebraska allows today
Betting runs only through windows and kiosks at licensed racetracks. Mobile wagering is banned and the minimum age is 21. Every neighbouring state has legalized sports betting: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Wyoming allow statewide mobile play, while South Dakota restricts betting to Deadwood casinos.
Earlier attempts through the legislature went nowhere. In 2024 the LR3CA and LB13 package was frozen in a special session. A year before that LR20CA reached second reading but stalled alongside its companion bill LB421 and was postponed in April.
