An attempt to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska officially fell short Tuesday, with the state’s special legislative session ending.
The fact that the effort to legalize online sports betting failed isn’t surprising, especially with Governor Jim Pillen signaling at the beginning of the special session that he planned to tackle the topic of online sports betting in early 2025. (Nebraska already allows for retail sports betting.)
Still, some legislators hoped that online sports betting tax revenue could serve as a solution to the state’s property tax concerns, which sparked the need for a special session. The idea of using online sports wagering tax revenue to mitigate the property tax issue was suggested, but it never gained enough widespread support to become a serious possibility during the special legislative session.
13 Senators Voice Opposition
A group of 13 Nebraska senators shared a statement last week about what they perceive as the negatives of online sports betting. The statement didn’t make a major impact on an effort that already had minimal traction, but it did share a bit of insight into why some Nebraska politicians are skeptical about expanding online gambling.
“Online sports betting turns every cell phone into a 24/7 handheld gambling device, leading to new addictions,” the senators' statement read. “The National Council on Problem Gambling reports the legalization of online sports betting has resulted in the risk of gambling addiction increasing 30 percent, with a 150 percent increase to their addiction helpline. The main demographic driving this increase is young people, with 20 percent of college students spending financial aid on gambling.”
Longtime Nebraska Cornhuskers football coach Tom Osborne also opposes online sports betting, something he’s discussed publicly. Osborne fears online sports betting puts too much pressure on the players, especially as it relates to individual performances and betting outcomes.
But despite these objections, Gov. Pillen’s willingness to consider online sports betting legalization means the topic will likely be broached again in 2025.
