Two measures seeking to legalize and regulate online sports betting in Nebraska have qualified for the state's Nov. 3 general election ballot after clearing signature verification requirements.
The Nebraska Secretary of State's Office confirmed that both Tax Relief Nebraska proposals exceeded the required statewide totals and collected signatures from at least 5% of voters in 38 of Nebraska's 93 counties.
The constitutional amendment required 138,473 valid signatures, representing 10% of the electorate. A separate statutory initiative required 96,918, or 7%. Election officials stopped verification once more than 110% of the required number had been validated.
If approved, the constitutional measure would expand Article III, Section 24 of the Nebraska Constitution, which voters amended in 2020 to permit casino gambling at licensed racetracks.
Online sports wagering could subsequently be offered through Nebraska's six licensed racetracks in Grand Island, Ogallala, Lincoln, Omaha, Columbus and South Sioux City.
Bettors would have to be physically located within Nebraska. Wagering servers would also have to be based in the state, while gaming operators could use no more than two platforms at one time.
The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would be required to establish implementing regulations by June 1, 2027.
The ballot campaign follows unsuccessful legislative efforts to expand sports wagering beyond retail locations. Legislative Resolution 20CA advanced 27-16 during its first round of debate in April 2025, but sponsor Sen. Eliot Bostar later withdrew the measure after saying it lacked the 33 votes needed to overcome an expected filibuster.
Tax Relief Nebraska has argued that mobile wagering would retain betting activity and tax revenue within the state. A report commissioned by the campaign estimated legalization could produce almost $87m in additional state tax revenue over five years. Under the proposal, 70% would be directed to property tax relief.
The measures qualified while Lancaster County authorities investigate suspected fraudulent signatures across Nebraska's four statewide citizen-led initiatives. Signatures flagged as potentially fraudulent were excluded from valid totals, and the investigation remains ongoing.
State officials must certify the November ballot by Sept. 11.
In July, Tax Relief Nebraska submitted more than 350,000 signatures across the two petitions, moving the campaign into county verification after earlier legislative attempts to expand mobile wagering stalled.
Nebraska voters approved casino gaming at licensed racetracks in 2020, creating the constitutional framework the online betting proposal would amend
