Senator Eliot Bostar has taken a significant step towards bringing online sports betting to Nebraska by filing a bill on the first day of the special legislative session. The bill, known as LB13, would require a constitutional amendment to be enacted, meaning that the public would have the opportunity to vote on the matter in November if there is enough support for the proposal.
The special session was called by Governor Jim Pillen with the primary goal of reducing property taxes. Despite this focus, Pillen has expressed his support for expanding online betting in the state. He has made it clear that passing an online betting bill is a priority for him, and he has stated that he will push for it during the regular legislative session in January if efforts during the special session do not succeed.
One of Pillen’s motivations for supporting online betting expansion is to prevent Nebraskans from crossing state lines to place wagers, which currently results in revenue being sent to neighboring states. By legalizing online sports betting within the state, Pillen hopes to keep that revenue in Nebraska and generate additional income for the state.
Retail sportsbooks have already been established in Nebraska, with four casinos offering sports betting services since June 2023. This has provided a glimpse of the potential revenue that online betting could bring to the state, further supporting the argument for its expansion.
Committee meetings to discuss new bills, including Senator Bostar’s online betting legislation, are set to commence on Monday. Bostar is optimistic about the bill’s potential impact, believing that it could help lower property taxes in Nebraska.
Overall, the introduction of LB13 marks a significant development in the potential legalization of online sports betting in Nebraska. With Governor Pillen’s support and the success of retail sportsbooks in the state, there is growing momentum behind the push for online betting expansion. The upcoming special legislative session will play a crucial role in determining the future of online sports betting in Nebraska, and the public will have the opportunity to voice their opinions on the matter in November through a potential constitutional amendment vote.