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Nebraska senators advance constitutional amendment to let voters decide on mobile sports wagering
Summary
The Nebraska Legislature advanced LR20CA, a proposed constitutional amendment to allow mobile sports wagering, after debate that centered on revenue for property-tax relief and concerns about gambling addiction; the measure will appear on the 2026 ballot if voters approve it.
Senator John Bostar filed LR20CA, a constitutional amendment that would put the question of authorizing mobile sports wagering in Nebraska before voters on the November 2026 ballot, and senators voted 27-16 to advance the resolution to general file.
Supporters said the amendment would let Nebraskans decide whether to permit regulated mobile sports wagering and could direct tax revenue to property-tax relief. "Let's not leave this money on the table or have it go to Iowa," said Senator John Bostar, who introduced the resolution and cited a GeoComply study showing active mobile-wagering activity tied to Nebraska accounts.
Opponents urged caution, arguing that legalizing mobile sports wagering would increase gambling addiction, bankruptcies and other social harms, especially among young men. Senator Mike Von Gillen led early procedural opposition and described studies he said showed spikes in problem-gambling help-seeking and bankruptcies in jurisdictions after legalization.
The debate included repeated references to two competing realities: senators who said Nebraskans are already using geofencing workarounds or offshore sites to place bets, and senators who argued that legalization would simply broaden access and worsen social harms. Proponents countered that a regulated market could require age verification, self-exclusion tools, deposit and time limits and direct tax revenue to problem-gambling treatment and the property tax credit fund.
Senator Procop said regulated platforms include stronger consumer protections than offshore sites and said, "If a person self-excludes or is involuntarily excluded, that person cannot reverse that decision until the designated time period expires." Senator Bostar and other supporters said failing to put a voter-approved amendment before the public would invite an industry-led ballot initiative with a lower tax rate and fewer consumer protections.
Formal actions recorded in session included an early motion by Senator Von Gillen to indefinitely postpone the resolution; that motion was later withdrawn. The Legislature then voted to advance LR20CA to general file; the clerk recorded the vote as 27 ayes and 16 nays.
The resolution now progresses through the Legislature’s process; if it continues to advance, approval by the Legislature would place the constitutional question before Nebraska voters in 2026. Supporters requested further conversations between general and select file on specific regulatory language and consumer-protection provisions that could be added if voters approve the amendment.
Votes at a glance: LR20CA — Advance to general file (constitutional amendment to allow mobile sports wagering); Final recorded vote: 27 Aye, 16 Nay.
