Nebraska Collects Over $200,000 in Child Support Arrears From Gambling Winnings in Three Months

^{Jim Pillen, Governor of Nebraska}

Nebraska authorities have recovered more than $200,000 in unpaid child support from gambling winnings during the first three months of a new debt collection program, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

The program was launched under the Gambling Winnings Setoff for Outstanding Debt Act, adopted in 2024 and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen. The mechanism came into force on September 2, 2025.

Under the law, gambling operators are required to withhold a portion of winnings from players who have outstanding debts to the state and transfer those funds to the Nebraska Department of Revenue. The money is then distributed among relevant state agencies.

During the first 13 weeks of the program, a total of $529,091.47 was distributed. Of that amount, $215,852.98 was allocated to DHHS to support child support enforcement, while the remaining funds were distributed among the Department of Revenue, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Governor Jim Pillen said the program helps redirect gambling winnings toward supporting children across the state and ensures the enforcement of parental responsibilities. DHHS also noted that direct payments to families have an immediate social impact.