Nebraska Pulls the Plug on Online Sports Betting Resolution

Nebraska legislators have voted against proceeding with a ballot measure that would have legalized mobile sports betting in the Cornhusker State. On Wednesday, State Sen. Eliot Bostar officially pulled Legislative Resolution 20CA, his proposed constitutional amendment, after it became clear the legislation didn’t have the votes to overcome a filibuster and move on to a full vote.

Potential Economic Benefits Were Not Enough to Sway Opinions

The decision shuts down one of the last avenues for online sports betting legalization in the foreseeable future. Sen. Bostar’s proposal aimed to place a referendum on the ballot in November 2026, asking voters whether they support statewide online sports betting. The state already has sportsbooks at its physical casinos. However, many Nebraskans regularly place bets across state lines—or illegally through offshore sites.

Sen. Bostar and other proponents, including Sen. Dunixi Guereca, emphasized that allowing online sports wagering would have substantial practical and financial benefits. Guereca, whose district borders Iowa, noted that residents regularly crossed state lines to wager online, with Nebraska receiving no tax revenues. Bostar estimated that online sports betting could generate $32 million annually for the state.

Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state online industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue, which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas.

Sen. Eliot Bostar

However, the proposal’s opponents were concerned about the social costs of legalizing mobile betting, including a rise in gambling addiction, financial hardship, and mental health issues. Former University of Nebraska football coach and Congressman Tom Osborne, a long-time critic of expanded gambling, warned that easy access to wagering could lead to long-term societal harm, especially among youth.

Online Sports Wagering Has One Final Chance

Sen. Bostar’s proposal advanced out of committee earlier this month on a 27–16 vote. However, the proposed legislation had insufficient momentum to withstand hours of floor debate with tens of speakers arguing for hours. In the end, most who stood before the microphone opposed the amendment.

Although online sports betting proponents have exhausted their legislative opportunities for the current session, there may be another possible avenue. Nebraska law allows for citizen-led ballot initiatives, meaning voters themselves can bring the issue forward in 2026 without needing legislative approval. Backers would need to collect about 125,000 valid signatures—not an easy feat, but not impossible.

With all six of Nebraska’s neighboring states allowing some form of mobile sports betting, lawmakers will likely face mounting pressure from various stakeholders. For now, though, Nebraska gamblers who want to wager from their smartphones will still have to cross state lines. Or support the expected citizen-led ballot.