Online Sports Betting Initiative in Nebraska Appears to Lose Momentum
Hopes that a special session would advance the legalization of online sports betting in Nebraska are slowly fading. Although the matter is not yet decided, the voices of opponents are quite prominent, and the overall discussion highlights a lack of sufficient awareness among lawmakers about online sports betting.
Push for OSB in Nebraska
During the special session called by Governor Jim Pillen the General Affairs Committee will decide whether online sports betting should be part of the property tax relief discussion.
Nebraska State Senator Eliot Bostar introduced LB 13 and LR3CA proposals. The Bostar’s proposals are among over a hundred other suggestions aimed at finding solutions for the state’s high property taxes.
Governor Pillen has expressed support for online sports betting but prefers to address it next year. However, he has stated that he would not oppose its inclusion in the current special session if legislators push for it.
State Senator Bostar emphasized the potential benefits of redirecting revenues from online sports betting to the property tax credit fund. He pointed out that Nebraska’s high property taxes severely impact homeowners, farmers, and small business owners and that legalizing online sports betting could provide much-needed financial relief, as the proposal projects an annual tax revenue increase of $32 million.
Danny DiRienzo cited GeoComply data that revealed that between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, there were 4.5 million blocked geolocation checks within Nebraska, which suggests growing demand for online sports betting in the state. “That is very likely related to Nebraskans crossing the border to place a legal wager,” said DiRienzo from GeoComply.
Will Opposite Voices Put an End to the Project?
While some lawmakers are hesitant to expand gambling, State Senator Bostar argues that the decision should be left to Nebraska voters, as a recent poll by Guidant Polling & Strategy indicated that nearly 60% of Nebraskan voters support legalizing mobile sports betting.
However, former University of Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne and others have voiced concerns about the potential negative impacts of online sports betting. Osborne cited research showing that gambling revenues often lead to net losses for taxpayers.”I can guarantee you there will be increased addiction and increased costs,” Osborne said and added, “I see this being very dangerous, particularly for young people.”
Furthermore, Senator Tom Brewer, a typically gambling-averse lawmaker, acknowledged the difficult decision. He noted the severe impact of high property taxes on his district and the potential benefits of legalizing online sports betting to address these economic challenges.
The fate of online sports betting in Nebraska remains uncertain, as discussions on the topic do not seem to be progressing at a satisfactory pace. While it is clear that the development of this issue is being hindered by lawmakers’ insufficient knowledge of digital sports betting, arguments like those presented by Tom Osborne capture the imagination and could influence the course of future discussions.