Nebraska online sports betting bill advances from legislative committee

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Online sports betting legislation sponsored by Nebraska Sen. Eliot Bostar has advanced from the Nebraska General Affairs Committee with a six-two vote.

If passed, Legislative Resolution 20CA would authorize online sports betting in the state, with sportsbook operators housed at licensed racetracks. The legislation highlights that Nebraskan bettors must be in the state when placing a wager.

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State revenue generated from online sportsbooks would be used for property tax relief, with an estimated annual revenue of US$32 million.

In addition to LR 20CA, a separate bill LB 421, introduced by Senator Stan Clouse on 17 January, would introduce a regulatory framework for future sports operators in the state.

“It’s one of these things that society will dictate that if people want it, it’ll happen, and we can’t just keep kicking the can down the road,” Clouse said.

Senator Bostar also added that sports betting was becoming increasingly popular in Nebraska, claiming that Nebraskans were already betting in neighboring states such as Iowa.

Bostar explained, “If Nebraskans weren’t already participating in mobile sports betting, especially to the extent that they are, I wouldn’t have brought this. But the realities are that the folks who want to do this are already doing it.”

Despite advancing from the committee, the bill still faces challenges. The Executive Director of the grassroots organization Gambling With The Good Life, Pat Loontjer, has expressed her opposition to the bill, saying it would threaten families in Nebraska.