Casino operators in Nebraska have filed two ballot initiatives to legalize online sports betting in the state, the Lincoln Journal Star reported.
Petitions for the November election were filed with the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office on Friday, according to Lynne McNally, CEO of the Nebraska Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and director of government relations at WarHorse Casino. The effort is supported by WarHorse and the Sports Betting Alliance, a national coalition of sports betting companies.
The campaign involves two separate initiatives to comply with Nebraska’s single-subject rule, McNally said. One initiative seeks a constitutional amendment allowing online betting through casinos affiliated with licensed horse racing tracks. Under the plan, national sports betting companies would need to partner with existing Nebraska casinos. WarHorse, which operates facilities in Lincoln and Omaha, already has agreements with FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and other operators, McNally said.
To qualify for the ballot, organizers must gather signatures from roughly 10% of registered voters.
A second initiative would direct tax revenue from online sports betting to the cities and counties where bets are placed. This measure requires signatures from 7% of registered voters.
Both initiatives also must be signed by at least 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraska’s 93 counties to appear on the ballot.
The online betting tax would mirror the state’s 20% casino tax, with most revenue going to property tax relief, and smaller portions to local governments, the general fund, and a compulsive gamblers’ assistance program
Nebraska casino operators had been expected to pursue a ballot initiative after the Legislature failed to advance a measure in the previous session. Lincoln Sen. Eliot Bostar had indicated he would revive the issue this year, but McNally said the ballot petition route was a more reliable option.
“With the many issues that are coming up during the session with only 60 days, we didn’t feel that we could just rely on that going through to make the ballot this fall,” McNally said.
Casino operators are familiar with the ballot process. In 2020, three initiatives approved by voters legalized casino gambling in Nebraska. McNally said the group is well-prepared to gather signatures.
Supporters plan to begin collecting signatures in the coming weeks. “I’ll be putting a lot of miles on my car, and we’ll be letting Nebraskans know what the advantages are of voting for this initiative,” McNally said.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/01/15/117151-nebraska-casino-operators-file-ballot-initiatives-to-legalize-online-sports-betting
