Online sports betting initiatives qualify for November ballot in Nebraska

• Two online sports wagering initiatives head to Nebraska voters this November
• One of the petitions seeks to amend the state’s constitution, permitting sports betting, while the other one proposes the establishment of a regulatory framework for the activity
• Both initiatives gathered the required valid signatures by registered voters in Nebraska to appear on the ballot

Nebraska is making another push toward legalizing mobile sports betting.

Two petitions, seeking to establish legal wagering in the state, were recently certified by the Secretary of State to appear on the November ballot.

Nebraska will vote on sports betting this November

This is the case for the Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment petition and the Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative petition, which are set to appear on the 2026 general election ballot in Nebraska.

Residents across the state will be asked if they want mobile sports betting to be legalized across the state.

As the title of the initiative suggests, the Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment proposes changes to Nebraska’s Constitution that would permit sports betting.

"The object of this petition is to amend the Nebraska Constitution to state that laws may be enacted allowing sports wagers to be placed within the State of Nebraska through an internet-based platform offered by an authorized gaming operator," the initiative reads.

On the other hand, the Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative seeks to establish the regulatory framework required for legal sports wagering.

The proposal would grant the State Racing and Gaming Commission the authority to license betting operators and regulate the activity.

If the initiative receives the approval of Nebraska voters, the legal betting will be available via retail outlets at the state’s racetracks, while licensed operators would also offer mobile betting options.

The initiative requires bettors to be physically located within state limits.

The proposal would authorize betting on professional sports, motor race events, electronic sports and college sports, except for in-state collegiate sports, fantasy sports contests, or minor league sports events.

Both initiatives met the requirement to appear on the ballot

To appear on the ballot, both initiatives had to meet certain requirements, as per the existing laws in Nebraska.

To qualify for the November ballot, the Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment needed signatures from at least 5% of the registered voters in 38 counties.

Per the Secretary of State’s recent announcement, the initiative gathered at least 138,473 valid signatures from at least 5% of registered voters in 64 counties.

The other petition, the Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative, needed valid signatures from at least 7% of registered voters in Nebraska and at least 5% of registered voters in 38 counties in order to qualify for the ballot.

It gathered at least 96,918 valid signatures and collected at least 5% of signatures from registered voters in 55 counties, earning its place on the ballot.

"The Nebraska Secretary of State’s office will hold public hearings on these ballot measures in each of Nebraska’s three congressional districts, as well as produce an informational brochure about the ballot measures. The dates and locations of district hearings will be announced at a later date," the Nebraska Secretary of State’s announcement explained.

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