Nebraska Sports Betting Legalization Faces Senate Hurdle
A bill that would legalize sports betting in Nebraska faces a legislative challenge as opponents pledged a full filibuster to block the measure.
Resolution 20CA, which State Sen. Eliot Bostar proposed, would amend the constitution to allow sports betting and could open up the door to our best sports betting sites operating in the state. The final decision would be put before voters at the 2026 elections.
The bill passed by a 27-16 margin in the 49-member state senate on Monday. With three senators who missed the vote likely to support it next time, the measure appeared to be on course to gain the 30 votes needed to pass the next debate stage.
But at least one senator has promised a full filibuster on the bill, meaning Bostar’s proposal needs 33 votes to clear the next hurdle. That dramatically reduces the margin for error in what was always expected to be a tricky legislative passage and would likely mean that Bostar has to flip at least one currently opposed senator.
Lawmakers in the Cornhusker State previously introduced a sports betting bill during the 2024 legislative session. Unfortunately, the session ended without a vote on the future of sports betting.
Tax dollars to Iowa
Supporters of the bill have suggested that legal sports betting in Nebraska could raise as much as $32 million in tax revenue every year. Currently, Nebraskans who want to bet on sport have to cross the border into the Iowa sports betting market, and the financial aspect of the issue is a significant part of the case for legalization.
“I don’t want you to like sports betting, but I would hope that you would find an offense in us giving our money away to Iowa,” said Bostar, after Monday’s vote.
However, opposition to the bill is growing. State Sen. Brad von Gillern is leading attempts to block it and has warned about the potential social harms of gambling. A group of prominent Nebraskan figures has also been active in the debate, including former Gov. Kay Orr and former Huskers football coach Tom Osborne, who have both signed a letter to senators urging them to vote against legalization at the next stage.
Governor support
Of the six senators yet to vote on the bill, three have said they favor it, while two appear steadfast in opposition. The sixth, State Sen. Glen Meyer, is said to be on the fence regarding the issue.
Gov. Jim Pillen is in favor of legalization, a significant change from his predecessors' positions. However, his support may not be enough, and Bostar and the bill supporters face what seems to be an uphill struggle to get the measure onto the 2026 ballot.
