Nebraska Legislature Adjourns Special Session Without Advancing Digital Sports Betting
The Nebraska legislature adjourned its special session on August 20, 2024, without reaching a decision on legalizing digital sports betting. Despite efforts to address property tax relief, which was the primary focus of the session, lawmakers left many key issues unresolved, including potential online wagering expansion.
Property Tax Relief and Unmet Potential for Wagering Revenue
Governor Jim Pillen had called the special session with the goal of providing property tax relief, a pressing issue in Nebraska. Senator Eliot Bostar’s proposed package, which included digital sports betting, was aimed at reducing property taxes by earmarking 90% of wagering tax revenue for relief efforts.
However, lawmakers did not move forward with the digital sports betting measures, missing an opportunity to link the new revenue stream to property tax reductions.
Unresolved Issues and Future Legislative Outlook
Though the special session concluded without advancing digital wagering, the legislature did pass LB 34, a bill that caps property tax increases and includes a relief program.
However, the lack of complementary measures, such as legalized digital sports betting, leaves key revenue-generating opportunities untapped.
Lawmakers will need to start fresh in 2025, as bills from the 2024 session do not carry over.
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