Nebraska Legislature Weighs Online Sports Betting with Bostar’s Proposal
Nebraska lawmakers are deliberating an expansion of the state’s gambling landscape through a proposal to legalize online sports betting. Introduced by Senator Eliot Bostar, the measure, currently embodied in Legislative Resolution 20CA (LR20CA), seeks to amend the state constitution to permit statewide online wagering. The bill is now under review by a legislative committee, with its fate resting on legislative approval and, ultimately, a public vote.
The Framework of LR20CA
Bostar’s plan would allow Nebraskans to place sports bets online from anywhere in the state, a leap beyond the current setup where wagers are restricted to in-person betting at casinos. LR20CA, a proposed constitutional amendment, requires legislative backing before it can reach voters in the 2026 election.
The proposal mandates that online betting operators partner with Nebraska’s existing casino operators, ensuring a tie-in with the state’s established gaming infrastructure.
The financial incentive is substantial. Bostar estimates that legalizing online sports betting could generate $32 million annually in tax revenue, with proceeds directed toward reducing property taxes, a pressing issue for many residents. Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel have voiced support, seeing Nebraska as a ripe market for growth.
The promise of $32 million yearly hinges on a robust online betting framework. By channeling these funds into property tax relief, Bostar aims to ease a burden felt across rural and urban Nebraska alike.
This revenue stream would dwarf the state’s current gambling proceeds, which are limited to casino-based sports betting introduced after a 2020 voter approval for expanded gaming.
Opposition Mounts
Not everyone’s on board. Critics, including the Nebraska Family Alliance and Gambling with the Good Life, argue that online sports betting poses serious risks. They highlight potential increases in addiction, bankruptcies, and social ills like domestic violence and suicide, particularly among vulnerable groups such as youth.
Nate Grasz of the Nebraska Family Alliance warns that easier access could harm families, while Jacob Wolff, a recovering gambler, points to the addictive pull of online platforms based on his own losses.
Skeptics also challenge the tax relief claim. Pat Loontjer of Gambling with the Good Life calls it dubious, suggesting the economic fallout might offset any gains. Tom Osborn adds a sports angle, cautioning that lifting betting limits on Nebraska teams could pressure athletes with harassment from losing bettors, threatening fair play.
Legislative Path Ahead
LR20CA’s journey is just beginning. The legislative committee’s review will determine if it advances to the full Legislature. Passage there would set up a 2026 ballot question, letting voters decide.
Nebraska’s current in-person-only betting, legal since 2021, means residents otherwise turn to out-of-state or illegal sites, a gap Bostar’s bill aims to close. With the session ongoing into spring, there’s time to refine the proposal, but the divide is stark.
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