Two bills in Nebraska that would allow online esports betting in the state have been carried over into the new legislative session for consideration.
Bill LB421 and LR20CA were filed last year, and are both active again. The former is sponsored by Sen. Stanley Clouse, with Sen. Ellior Bostar behind the latter.
Bostar’s bill made more progress last year, passing through the General Affairs Committee by a 27-16 vote in favor. However, the Senator believed it was too soon to make it into law and put the legislation on hold.
It, along with LB421 have both been carried over and will be up for debate again as the state considers expanding retail sports betting to online.
The bills propose allowing the state’s licensed casinos, which offer retail sports betting, to expand into online wagering. The state has five active commercial casinos, with the Warhorse Casino Omaha fully launching in April last year and Elite Casino Resorts opening in August.
Governor Backs Legalization
Gov. Jim Pillen supports legalization, citing the fact that Nebraskans are already engaging in online sports wagering. Many residents make cross-border trips to neighboring states that allow legal online betting, including Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, and, most recently, Missouri.
Additionally, an increasing number of prediction market platforms also offer residents the opportunity to wager on sports.
Pillen stated, “Online sports betting is real and it’s happening in the state. Whoever wants to do it is doing it, and we’re giving all the revenue to our neighbors.”
Sports Betting Reaching Record Revenue
If legislation is passed this year, proponents estimate that legal online sports betting could generate up to $32 million annually in new tax revenue.
The funds will largely benefit Nebraska’s public services and property tax relief funds.
There appears to be an appetite for expansion into online gambling. Nebraska reported an all-time record-high month for sports betting in November, with revenue reaching $1.5 million.
This represented a 25% increase from the previous record of $1.2 million, set in November 2024.
New Session Brings New Efforts in Wisconsin
The new legislative session could renew efforts to legalize online sports betting in several states, including Wisconsin and Mississippi.
Wisconsin’s Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he believes legislation to allow online sports betting in the state will go to a full vote this year. Similarly to Gov. Pillen, he said that the state is losing out on tax revenue as residents are already engaging in online gambling.
He stated, “It’s already happening. So I guess if we already have it, I would rather say that if we’re going to have it in Wisconsin, it can be regulated in a way that’s more transparent.”
The state is proposing to allow tribal groups the potential to offer online sports betting, similar to the agreement the Seminole Tribe has in Florida. That model has faced legal challenges, and efforts to do the same in Colorado have been opposed by state judges.
Mississippi Also Hopeful Of Launching Online Market
Meanwhile, in Mississippi, State Representative Kevin Felsher said he is hopeful lawmakers will approve online sports betting in 2026.
Felsher said, “I’m hopeful this year could be the year that we get a sensible mobile sports betting program that protects the integrity of our brick-and-mortars.”
Missouri was the only state to expand sports betting last year. There are now 39 states in the country that allow some form of sports betting. Among those, Nebraska, Mississippi, and Wisconsin are expected to expand their online wagering this year.
Adam Roarty
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