BETTING

Could Nebraska’s Casino Boom Lead to Online Sports Betting?

Nebraska State Capitol
The Nebraska State Capitol is seen in Lincoln, Nebraska, on May 14, 2024. Charly Triballeau/AFP

Nebraska casinos have already experienced well over double the revenue growth from last year, and this could signal good news for mobile sports betting legislation in the Cornhusker State.

Setting the Stage

Several legislative attempts at legalizing mobile sports betting in Nebraska have been unsuccessful, and Constitutional Amendment LR 20CA is the latest to come up empty. If successful, the question would have appeared on the 2026 ballot, which would have been good news for those who want to bet on sports through their mobile devices or PCs.

The Senate General Affairs put it through to the Senate by a vote of 6-2 back in March. Yet, because Nebraska is a unicameral legislature with only the Senate as its legislature, it needed to achieve a two-thirds majority on each of three votes on the Senate floor before the question advanced to the voters.

Although the amendment ultimately failed, the question could appear on the 2026 ballot, but a launch would have to wait until 2027 if the voters decide to enact mobile sports betting in the state. There is a likelihood that the legislators will be more receptive to voting on a bill to let the voters decide on mobile sports betting after allowing retail sports betting at the state’s four casinos.

Governor Jim Pillen stated his support for passage of an online gambling bill before this year’s session, but his endorsement did not generate enough senatorial support for the amendment.

“Online sports betting is real, and it is happening in the state. Whoever wants to do it is doing it, and we’re giving all the revenue to our neighbors. I will put forth, and it will be a priority bill, in January to approve online sports betting,” stated Pillen.

The move to bring this question to the masses could follow Missouri’s blueprint when the state’s six professional franchises teamed with FanDuel and DraftKings for their PAC called Winning for Missouri Education. The PAC collected enough names to get the amendment on the ballot, and it was ultimately passed by a razor-thin number of Missourians, and the industry will launch in December 2025.

Casinos Singing in Nebraska

Another fortuitous increase in Nebraska’s casino gambling may also grease the path for mobile sports betting. According to recent reports, casino gambling revenue has increased 149% in Nebraska over the same time last year.

For example, in May, the War Horse Casino in Omaha contributed over $1 million to the state’s tax relief fund based on its gaming revenues. Revenue has also spiked at the state’s other three casinos in Lincoln, Grand Island, and Columbus, while new casinos are being eyed in other cities.

Lance Morgan, the CEO of WarHorse Gaming, doesn’t see the growth of the industry slowing down anytime soon. “Grand Island just opened a larger facility, Columbus is functional, Ogallala is going to open one soon, South Sioux will open one, and Omaha will continue to take market share,” he said. “So, what you’re seeing in property tax relief is maybe half of what it’s going to be when it’s all said and done.”

It has been stipulated in the legislature that 70% of the state’s cut goes to the Property Tax Credit Cash Fund, 2.5% goes to the state’s general fund, and another 2.5% goes to resources for problem gamblers. The remaining 25% of the tax money is earmarked for the cities and counties in which the casinos are located.

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