Two petitions that would legalize online sports betting in Nebraska have been approved to appear before voters during the state’s November general election.
The news was confirmed by the Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office on Friday, with both petitions gaining enough signatures to qualify for the Nov. 3 ballot.
Key Takeaways
- Two petitions to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska have qualified for the state’s general election on Nov. 3.
- One petition would change the state’s constitutional amendment, while the second would introduce a regulatory framework for online sports betting.
- The results of the petition will be announced by Sept. 11.
The measures were first filed in January and approved for circulation by the Secretary of State’s Office in February. The first petition, “Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment,” would amend Nebraska’s constitution to legalize sports betting. The second, “Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative,” would establish a regulatory framework for the state to govern online sports betting.
According to a press release from the Secretary of State’s Office, both petitions needed to meet a 110% threshold to qualify for the November election.
The constitutional amendment petition required 138,473 valid signatures, representing 10% of registered voters in the state and 5% of registered voters from 38 counties. In contrast, the regulation initiative petition required signatures from 7% of registered voters statewide and 5% in 38 counties, or at least 96,918 valid signatures.
“We are grateful to every Nebraskan who participated in the process and signed our petitions,” said Jordan McGrain, a sponsor of the ballot measures. “We believe voters will agree that a legal and regulated online sports wagering marketplace will keep the money in Nebraska, generating new revenue for local communities and millions of dollars in property tax relief.”
The Secretary of State’s Office has until Sept. 11 to certify votes, with all petitions to be processed and announced by that same day. If the measure is approved, the Nebraska Gaming and Racing Commission has until June 1 of next year to establish rules and regulations for the expanded sports betting market.
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Operators fund sports betting campaign in Nebraska
Nebraska’s two sports betting petitions haven’t just gained the interest of registered voters, but also various U.S. gambling companies looking to expand sports betting in the state.
Tax Relief Nebraska, the main sponsor of the two petitions, had raised over $2.6 million between February and March, with operators DraftKings and FanDuel donating over $1.1 million each to their campaign.
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen and Attorney General Mike Hilgers also received the most contributions from gambling companies between 2025 and April 2026, according to a report published by Nebraska Public Media.
Hilgers had taken in up to $75,000 in donations, with the majority coming from FanDuel, Caesars Entertainment, and PrizePicks. Governor Pillen received $70,000, with Grand Island Casino Resort providing the largest share, followed by FanDuel and Caesars.
In emails to Nebraska Public Media, both expressed opposition to expanding gambling in the state, but Governor Pillen expressed interest in introducing online sports betting to generate additional tax revenue.
A report commissioned by Tax Relief Nebraska found that legalized online sports betting could generate up to $87 million in tax revenue over the next five years.
