Online Betting One Step Closer to Legalization in Nebraska

It seems voters may decide on creating an online sports betting market in Nebraska this fall.

The Tax Relief Nebraska group submitted more than 350,000 combined signatures for a pair of petitions to legalize online sports betting. 

It submitted 201,000 signatures to create a constitutional amendment for an online sportsbook, and 146,000 for its proposed legal framework. Both surpassed the minimum amount required by the state.

If approved, the issue would be placed on the ballot for November’s midterm elections.

The group, led by WarHorse Casino, turned everything over to the Nebraska Secretary of State for review ahead of the July 2 deadline. The office will now review and verify the signatures. While the total number of signatures exceeds the minimum, the state must verify that they are from all 93 counties.

WarHorse and its allies behind the ballot began the effort back in February after years of failed legislation. The creation of a constitutional amendment allows them to circumvent Nebraska lawmakers and bring the issue directly to voters. 

The proposed framework would allocate 70% of sports betting revenues to property tax credits.

Prediction Markets vs. Problem Gambling

Nebraska lawmakers have been facing an incredibly difficult decision. The reason past efforts failed involved concerns over problem gambling and the impact it can have on public health. Some opponents have warned of the damage addiction can do to families, and the tragic consequences it often brings.

While the spread of problem gambling across the US hasn’t changed that concern, some opponents have given up the fight. They believe sports prediction markets have already brought the crisis to their state, and view a regulated market as a way to rein it in. 

The emergence of the controversial industry has also led WarHorse to step up its push. The tribe fears residents are already getting used to prediction platforms, making it harder to sway them to join a state-regulated sports betting market.

With the signatures submitted, it appears we’ll find out how Nebraska voters view the complex debate.