After some pushback, Nebraska lawmakers advanced a constitutional amendment Monday that would allow licensed racetracks in the state to offer online sports betting.”The relationship between online sports gambling addiction and financial struggles is well documented and increasingly concerning, especially with the rapid growth of legal online betting platforms,” Nebraska state Sen. Brad von Gillern said.The bill is sponsored by Nebraska state Sen. Eliot Bostar, who said the risk could be worth the reward in the minds of voters.”This is an opportunity to create a new source of revenue for property tax relief. In fact, Nebraskans are already in favor of the measure. Almost 60% of voters support legalizing mobile sports betting,” Bostar said.Bostar said the state is currently missing out on $3 million in annual tax revenue, which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa. But critics call this type of gambling “predatory,” particularly toward young men. The bill advanced with a vote of 27-16, with one senator not voting.Because this is an amendment, the issue would be put to voters on the 2026 ballot if it’s passed by the Legislature.It now advances to a second round of debate.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
After some pushback, Nebraska lawmakers advanced a constitutional amendment Monday that would allow licensed racetracks in the state to offer online sports betting.
“The relationship between online sports gambling addiction and financial struggles is well documented and increasingly concerning, especially with the rapid growth of legal online betting platforms,” Nebraska state Sen. Brad von Gillern said.
The bill is sponsored by Nebraska state Sen. Eliot Bostar, who said the risk could be worth the reward in the minds of voters.
“This is an opportunity to create a new source of revenue for property tax relief. In fact, Nebraskans are already in favor of the measure. Almost 60% of voters support legalizing mobile sports betting,” Bostar said.
Bostar said the state is currently missing out on $3 million in annual tax revenue, which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa.
But critics call this type of gambling “predatory,” particularly toward young men.
The bill advanced with a vote of 27-16, with one senator not voting.
Because this is an amendment, the issue would be put to voters on the 2026 ballot if it’s passed by the Legislature.
It now advances to a second round of debate.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
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