Nebraska’s online sports betting campaign has raised nearly $21.7 million this election year, with major sportsbooks adding more than $7 million in recent weeks as supporters make their final push before the Nov. 3 vote.
- FanDuel and DraftKings have contributed nearly $10.3 million apiece, while Fanatics has given $600,000.
- Both ballot measures must pass to allow up to 12 mobile sportsbooks, with a potential launch in 2027.
- Kalshi currently gives the constitutional amendment and regulatory initiative 69% and 68% chances of passage, respectively.
Recent campaign finance reports show Tax Relief Nebraska, the organization backing the sportsbook legalization measure, received just over $7 million in additional contributions after Sept. 29. This brings its reported total election-year fundraising to $21.675 million.
FanDuel and DraftKings, the nation’s largest online sportsbooks by market share, supplied most of the new money. Fanatics, another major revenue leader, also increased its investment.
The committee’s regular report, covering Sept. 30-Oct. 19, disclosed just under $3 million in contributions: $2.5 million from DraftKings on Oct. 13 and $425,000 from Fanatics on Oct. 2.
FanDuel gave an additional $2.5 million on Oct. 22 and $750,000 on Oct. 23. DraftKings added $750,000 on Oct. 22, while Fanatics contributed $100,000 on Oct. 26.
Those payments bring FanDuel’s and DraftKings’ election-year contributions to nearly $10.3 million apiece. Fanatics has now given $600,000, while BetMGM previously contributed $500,000.
The renewed funding follows a sharp increase in campaign spending. Tax Relief Nebraska spent $6.61 million during the latest regular reporting period, pushing election-year expenditures to $15.8 million. It reported $1.74 million in cash on hand as of Oct. 19, before the four subsequent contributions, poptentially giving it several million dollars to work with for a final promotional push.
Media placement accounted for much of that spending, including just over $5 million to marketing on area television networks and other promotions.
The campaign supports Initiative 440, a constitutional amendment permitting laws authorizing internet sports wagering, and Initiative 441, a companion measure establishing the regulatory framework. Both would need to pass in order to legalize statewide mobile wagering.
Nebraska already allows in-person sports betting at gaming facilities.
Potential online sportsbooks in Nebraska
If approved by voters, Nebraska’s online sports betting market could include as many as 12 statewide mobile operators.
The proposed market could accommodate up to two platform partners for each of the state’s six current or planned regulated gaming facilities. Customers would have to be physically within Nebraska to place wagers, and servers hosting the platforms would likewise be required to operate within state lines.
FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics are the leading potential applicants given their campaign investments and national market share. Caesars, which hasn’t contributed to the campaign, is another potential entrant, as it operates Harrah’s Columbus and a branded retail sportsbook there.
Other possibilities include bet365 and theScore Bet, though the market may not fill every available slot.
The proposal would subject online wagering to Nebraska’s 20% gaming tax on gross gaming revenue. It would retain the prohibition on betting on Nebraska college teams when they play within the state, a significant restriction for a market whose most followed organization, professional or college, is University of Nebraska football.
The statutory framework would take effect Jan. 1, 2027, with regulators required to adopt online wagering rules by June 1, 2027. Those deadlines create a path toward a potential 2027 launch, possibly before the football season, but the ballot measure does not require a guaranteed opening date for mobile sportsbooks.
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Kalshi markets favor passage
Kalshi’s Nebraska ballot page displayed a 69% chance of passage for the constitutional amendment and 68% for the regulatory initiative as of Oct. 28 from a few thousand dollars in trading volume. The two companion measures will likely either pass or fail by similar margins.
Nebraska voters approved expanded casino gaming by a 65%-35% margin in 2020.
Supporters have emphasized property tax relief as the central reason to approve legalization. The religious-based Nebraska Family Alliance has been among the prominent opponents, while arguments against the measures contend mobile betting would increase gambling-related harm and send money to out-of-state companies without providing meaningful tax relief.
