Nebraska voters will decide in November whether to allow online sports betting after state officials certified two Tax Relief Nebraska petitions for the general-election ballot.
The measures address separate parts of the proposed system. One would amend the state constitution to permit online sports wagering through Nebraska’s licensed racetracks. The second would amend three existing laws to establish the market’s operating and tax framework.
The constitutional petition secured at least 138,473 valid signatures from 64 counties, while the regulatory measure collected at least 96,918 valid signatures from 55 counties. Both also had to meet geographic requirements across Nebraska.
The election will take place on 3 November. If voters approve the proposals, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would have until 1 June next year to create regulations for the online market.
Proposed Framework Sets Limits
The proposed system would require bettors to be physically located in Nebraska when placing wagers. Wagering servers would also have to remain inside the state, while each operator could run no more than two platforms at a time.
Nebraska currently permits sports betting in person at five racetrack casinos. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission reported that the activity generated about $9.3 million in sports betting revenue last year, producing less than $2 million in tax revenue.
Supporters argue that online access could increase state revenue. A report commissioned by Tax Relief Nebraska estimated about $87 million in gambling-related tax revenue over five years, with 70% of those proceeds earmarked for property tax relief. Supporters have separately said sports betting alone could generate more than $30 million annually in gaming taxes.
Jordan McGrain, a sponsor of the measures, said: “We are grateful to every Nebraskan who participated in the process and signed our petitions. 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.”
Petition Scrutiny Continues
The measures reached certification after earlier concerns about potentially fraudulent signatures. Lancaster County officials had reported suspected irregularities to state authorities, although signatures flagged as potentially fraudulent were excluded from the valid totals.
The wider review of Nebraska’s 2026 petition campaigns remains ongoing. Election officials are still examining two other statewide constitutional amendments, with the Secretary of State’s Office having until September 11 to complete that work.
The sports betting petitions also faced questions over funding. A national group asked the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission to examine possible international influence involving Tax Relief Nebraska after FanDuel and Roar Digital provided more than $3.5 million in combined donations.
Opponents have raised concerns that online betting could increase gambling addiction and problem gambling.
Following certification, Secretary of State Bob Evnen said his office would hold public hearings in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts. Officials have yet to announce the dates or locations.
If voters approve the proposals, Nebraska would move from its current in-person sports betting model toward a regulated online market with location requirements and platform limits.
Source:
“Nebraska online sports betting measures qualify for November ballot”, completeigaming.com, August 24, 2026
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