- A Nebraska on-line sports activities betting invoice has been authorized throughout its first Senate vote
- The invoice must be authorized throughout two extra votes earlier than being despatched to the governor
- Nebraska voters could have the ultimate say on sports activities betting throughout the 2026 normal election if signed into legislation
Nebraska sports activities betting at present took a giant step ahead within the Senate, receiving the primary of three needed approvals earlier than being despatched to the governor and signed into legislation.
The Nebraska Senate at present authorized Sen. Eliot Bostar’s (D-29) laws, LR20CA, by a 27-16 vote. It was the primary of a possible three votes for the laws, which requires the legalization of on-line sports activities betting via a constitutional modification.
If authorized by the Nebraska Senate, state voters will determine its destiny within the type of a poll query throughout the November 2026 normal election.
Nonetheless Lengthy Methods to Go
The vote is the primary of a possible three votes earlier than being despatched to Gov. Jim Pillen (R) for his signature.
Bostar’s laws amends the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act to permit casinos to supply on-line sports activities betting, dedicating the vast majority of on-line sports activities betting tax revenues to property tax reduction for state residents. The proposed laws devoted 90% of on-line sports activities betting tax income to the Property Tax Credit score Money fund, which supplies property tax reduction for Nebraskans.
Whereas his laws supplies a triggering methodology for legalization, Sen. Stan Clouse’s (R-37) invoice, LB 421, supplies the framework for on-line sports activities betting within the Cornhusker State. His invoice permits every of the six Nebraska casinos to accomplice with as much as one on-line sports activities betting operator and requires the State Racing and Gaming Fee to manage the brand new type of gaming.
His laws additionally removes the present prohibition on sports activities betting for in-state faculties.
Retail sports activities betting is presently authorized within the state and is taxed at a charge of 20%.
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Casinos Eyeing 2026 Voter Referndum?
Bostar famous in earlier discussions that the on line casino trade in Nebraska is contemplating proposing its personal voters referendum in 2026 to legalize on-line sports activities betting. This might be much like the best way Missouri legalized sports activities betting, as its sports activities franchises pushed their very own voting referendum via the Present-Me State in 2024.
By doing this now, Nebraska lawmakers would have extra of a say as to how on-line sports activities betting is doubtlessly legalized.
Sen. John Cavanaugh (D-9) mentioned at a earlier listening to that sports activities betting legalization offers him a substantial quantity of “heartburn,” however the legislature ought to have management over what’s positioned on a poll reasonably than Nebraska casinos.