Nebraska’s journey toward legalizing digital sports betting has taken a significant step forward, as a proposed constitutional amendment is now headed to the senate floor. The amendment, which aims to introduce digital sports betting to the state, was approved by a senate committee in a 6-2 vote on March 17, 2025. If successful, this amendment will be included in the November 2026 ballot, potentially paving the way for the launch of digital sports betting in Nebraska as early as 2027.
While the proposed amendment faces continued opposition, it represents the best chance for any U.S. state to introduce digital sports betting this year. Nebraska, with its unique unicameral legislature, must secure a two-thirds majority in three votes on the senate floor for the amendment to pass. Despite the challenges, this bill stands as a critical opportunity for Nebraska to tap into the growing digital gaming market.
Six Licenses for Digital Platforms: A Potential Game-Changer
The proposed amendment includes a significant provision: digital platforms would be tethered to licensed racetrack enclosures that offer wagering. This means that six licenses would be available for operators to provide online sports betting services in the state. Potential partners could include major industry players like BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, FanDuel, and others. 
Nebraska’s proximity to states with legal online sports betting, especially Iowa, has fueled discussions around the financial losses Nebraska is experiencing as bettors cross state lines to place bets. GeoComply, a geolocation service, reported 3.9 million geolocation checks in Nebraska during the NFL season, and a staggering 42,000 border crossings, with 90% of them heading into Iowa. This growing trend has highlighted the need for Nebraska to act, and the proposed amendment aims to address this issue by offering a legal and regulated digital sports betting framework.
Challenges Ahead: Opposition and Potential for Expansion
Despite this momentum, the path to legalization remains uncertain. The proposed amendment does not yet include a detailed regulatory framework, and its success hinges on multiple votes in the senate. Some lawmakers, including Senator John Cavanaugh, have expressed reservations about mobile sports betting, citing concerns about its broader implications. However, others see the amendment as a necessary step to prevent a more expansive industry-led ballot initiative.
“I’ve got a lot of heartburn about mobile sports betting,” said Senator Cavanaugh. “But if we don’t do this, they will put it on the ballot. And it will be more expansive than this.” The situation in neighboring Missouri, where voters passed a digital betting initiative in November 2024, highlights the urgency for Nebraska to act. Missouri’s mobile wagering is set to launch by December 2025, further intensifying the pressure on Nebraska lawmakers to legalize digital sports betting in the near future.
Nebraska’s retail sports betting was legalized in 2020 through a referendum, with in-person wagering beginning at WarHorse Casino Lincoln in June 2023. Now, as lawmakers work toward digital legalization, the focus shifts to securing the necessary support for the proposed constitutional amendment. With the state legislature set to adjourn in June, this measure may carry over into the 2026 session, keeping Nebraska’s path to digital sports betting open, but still uncertain.
