In the latest gambling news, we are pleased to see another state push through with efforts to legalize sports betting. Nebraska lawmakers are taking advantage of a special session of the legislature to introduce bills that will allow online sports betting in Nebraska. Let’s look at the details of the bills and talk about their chances of passing into law.
Senator Eliot Bostar filed Legislative Bill 13 this Thursday, on the first day of the special session. The bill aims to allow racinos in the state to offer online sports betting. These racinos will serve as operators themselves, or they can choose to partner with an online sportsbook.
The Terms of the Bill and the Opportunity to Expand
The bill has more than just allowing online sports betting in its text. But to understand it, let’s rewind through the history of betting in the state.
Sports betting was legalized in Nebraska back in 2021. However, the law only allows for betting in the racinos in the state. This means that for those who want to bet on sports in Nebraska, they would have to go to the racetracks to bet. This is highly limiting- especially with sports betting being offered online. Bookies are earning quite well with their online sportsbooks they manage through a sportsbook pay per head service.
Nebraska lawmakers want to be competitive and allow for online wagering as other states do. And this bill wants to allow online betting, plus remove the betting ban on the state’s college teams when playing-in state. Meanwhile, the ban on college player prop bets will remain untouched.
Chances of Seeing Online Sports Betting in Nebraska
As a bookie, you just need to give your players access to your sportsbook through your bookie pay per head software. But operators in Nebraska will be taking a few more steps- and a long wait time before this will happen to them. Bostar also introduced Legislative Resolution 3CA, which puts a proposed constitutional amendment for voters in November. This will need the support of 3/5 of the legislature to pass, plus a majority of voters to approve it.
Given how Nebraska relies on property taxes a lot to fund other important programs like public education, allowing more gambling revenue to prosper in the state will benefit them. If they can introduce a new revenue stream from online wagering, then they can create a property tax relief program for the residents. Currently, sports betting revenue is taxed by 20%. The state can stand to collect millions in tax revenue and licensing fees, should they pass the bill. Given the need for more public funding, this may just reach the desk of the Governor for its final signature.
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