Nebraska Petition Drive Launched to Legalize Online Sports Betting

^{Pictured: State Senator Eliot Bostar}

A campaign has been launched in Nebraska to gather signatures in support of placing the legalization of online sports betting on the ballot for the 2026 general election, Covers reports.

The initiative follows an unsuccessful effort in April 2025, when State Senator Eliot Bostar failed to push a legalization bill through the state legislature. The proposal lacked sufficient backing and was ultimately rejected.

To qualify for the ballot, organizers must collect signatures from at least 10% of registered voters, or roughly 125,000 people. If successful, Nebraska residents will decide the issue in November 2026.

Currently, sports betting in the state is only permitted at physical venues. Supporters argue that Nebraska is losing up to $32 million in annual tax revenue, as residents place bets in neighboring states where online wagering is legal — or use VPNs to gamble through offshore platforms.

“The bottom line is we’re letting tax dollars flow to Iowa, Kansas, and Colorado, where online betting is legal. People are using VPNs and pretending they’re in Iowa,” said Lynne McNally, a representative of WarHorse Casinos.

Opponents warn that legalizing internet wagering could increase the risk of gambling addiction, particularly among young people.