Nebraska voters reject online sports betting legalisation
Voters in Nebraska have rejected two ballot measures that would have legalised online sports betting, delivering a setback to major gambling operators seeking to expand their presence in the US state.
The proposals were defeated in the November 3 midterm elections, with updated results published by the Nebraska Secretary of State on November 6 confirming that both measures had failed.
Measure 440, which sought to amend the state’s constitution to permit mobile sports betting, was rejected by approximately 55% of voters.
Measure 441, which would have established the regulatory framework for online wagering, was defeated by a similar margin.
Both proposals needed to pass before mobile sports betting could become legal.
The measures would have allowed licensed racetrack casinos to partner with online betting sites, with the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission responsible for regulating the expanded market.
Supporters argued that legalisation would generate additional revenue for property tax relief, estimating approximately $166 million in savings over 10 years.
However, voters rejected the expansion despite a campaign supported by major US gambling companies.
DraftKings (DraftKings review) and FanDuel each contributed approximately $10.4 million to the campaign, which attracted total spending of around $22.5 million.
Nebraska already permits retail sports betting at authorised casino facilities, but online wagering remains prohibited.
The result highlights the continuing political resistance to online gambling in some US jurisdictions, despite its expansion across much of the country since 2018.
