A campaign to bring online sports betting to Nebraska cleared a major hurdle after it filed two petitions that meet the state’s estimated threshold for inclusion on November’s ballot.
According to a Wednesday report from Nebraska Public Media, Tax Relief Nebraska submitted two petitions that aim to bring a constitutional amendment to the state as a pathway to legalize online sports betting. Nebraska currently only offers retail sports betting to residents at one of the state’s five brick-and-mortar racetrack casinos.
According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office, Tax Relief Nebraska submitted more than 201,000 signatures for its petition to bring online betting to the state. Tax Relief Nebraska’s companion petition that establishes the framework for online sports wagering in the Cornhusker State received approximately 146,000 signatures.
Both petitions were filed by Tax Relief Nebraska before a July 3 deadline.
Nebraska online sports betting ballot process
The two petitions surpassed the projected signature threshold for a legislative effort to be included in the November ballot. In Nebraska, a petition requires signatures from at least 10% of Nebraska’s total number of registered voters. The 10% is roughly 125,000 voters.
According to data provided by Nebraska, it has just more than 1.2 million registered voters. The petitions have enough required votes but still face an arduous process for implementation:
- The petitions are filed with Nebraska’s Secretary of State office
- The office verifies the signatures of the petitions to ensure they are registered voters
- After verification, the petitions are certified by totaling all valid signatures from 93 counties
- Certification also addresses “any remaining situations” to ensure signatures are valid
- Once certified, the measures are formally placed on the general election ballot
Ahead of the general election, the Secretary of State is allowed to conduct public hearings regarding the efforts to legalize online sports betting. The state must also include full publication of the text of the measures in “all legal newspapers” ahead of the election.
If voters approve the effort to bring online sports betting to Nebraska, the state could be home to up to 10 sportsbooks with the state’s casinos allowed to partner with two online platforms. The efforts also allocate 70% of tax revenue toward property tax relief.
Legislators in the state have considered bills to legalize online sports betting. Last year, Sen. Eliot Bostar’s effort failed after lawmakers voiced addiction and social concerns.
Nebraskans crossing state lines to place bets
The potential legalization of online sports betting in Nebraska will allow the state to generate tax revenue from the residents who travel across state lines to place wagers.
SBC Americas reported in February 2025 on the release of a study conducted by Betting Hero and GeoComply about a cornfield in Iowa where Nebraskans place online wagers.
Betting Hero surveyed 51 respondents who traveled from Nebraska to Iowa to place online wagers in November 2024 for an NFL Sunday. The group was comprised of 87% males, with an average age of 36.
The respondents cited their reasoning for not utilizing Nebraska’s retail sportsbooks to the difficulty of cashing out and the inconvenience of entering a casino.
Nebraska betting effort backed by major operators
According to filings with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission, FanDuel has donated more than $3 million to Tax Relief Nebraska. Most recently, the Flutter-owned brand made a monetary contribution of $875,000 on May 28.
A monthly campaign statement for May 2026 also shows another $875,000 donated made by DraftKings’ DK Crown Holdings. In total, the Boston-based gaming giant has donated $3.5 million to Tax Relief Nebraska in the general election year to date.
Roar Digital, a joint venture between MGM Resorts International and GVC Holdings, has contributed $250,000 to the campaign. Meanwhile, FBG Enterprises Opco has donated $75,000. FBG Enterprises is the operator of Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
