Sports betting companies are pouring money into the push to legalize online sportsbooks in Nebraska.
DraftKings and FanDuel both contributed $1.1 million to Tax Relief Nebraska, the committee circulating two petitions to put a question legalizing online sports betting in Nebraska on the November ballot. In February and March, the committee raised a total of $2.6 million from gambling companies.
Nebraska voters legalized in-person sports betting at casinos in 2020. There have been multiple failed legislative attempts to expand to online sportsbooks.
Gambling companies have also funneled money to Gov. Jim Pillen and legislative candidates this election cycle, according to Nebraska Public Media.
Gaming companies opening wallets
Along with FanDuel and DraftKings, Roar Digital, the BetMGM joint venture, and Fanatics also contributed to Tax Relief Nebraska.
Multiple gambling companies have funneled $70,000 and $75,000, respectively, to the campaigns of Pillen and Atty. Gen. Mike Hilgers.
Those operators include:
- FanDuel
- Caesars Entertainment
- Coalition for Fantasy Sports
- Grand Island Casino Resort PAC
- Husker Gaming
- PrizePicks
- Warhorse Gaming
Nebraska sports betting ballot push
Tax Relief Nebraska began circulating the ballot in February. One petition changes the state’s constitution to allow for online sports betting in Nebraska and needs to collect signatures from 10% of registered voters. The other petition to alter gambling regulations requires signatures from 7%.
The collection process has a deadline of July 3.
The question ties online sports book licenses to the state’s four brick-and-mortar casinos, including WarHorse Casino, which are behind the petition push. WarHorse CEO Lance Morgan told local media the plan is to collect at least 300,000 signatures, well above the approximate 125,000 needed.
If approved at the ballot, the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would need to change the state’s rules on or before June 1, 2027.
Previous online sports betting efforts
Online sports betting discussion began in earnest in 2024, when Pillen voiced support for sports betting as a way to help provide property tax relief. He mentioned it as a potential priority bill in 2025.
Lawmakers did not take up the issue during a special session in 2024 after Pillen’s initial call. Sen. Eliot Bostar pulled his legislation in 2025 when it was clear there would not be enough votes to end a filibuster. Bostar estimated the industry could generate up to $32 million in tax revenue.
While there was strong opposition to the issue in the legislature, some still wanted to get ahead of a casino-led ballot push.
“I’ve got a lot of heartburn about mobile sports betting,” Sen. John Cavanaugh said during a hearing. “But if we don’t do this, they will put it on the ballot. And it will be more expansive than this.”
