Nebraska Sports Betting: Legal Updates, Launch News
Nebraska sports betting is in limbo. Fans in the Cornhusker State can place bets on the NFL, NBA, and college sports—but not online. Two in-person retail outlets are the only legal sports betting options in Nebraska. The state has yet to pass laws to accept licenses for online sports wagering and to regulate the industry.
Nebraska passed a law permitting sports betting in 2021. However, the state has yet to create a regulatory agency to oversee sports betting.
That said, you can play daily fantasy sports (DFS) in Nebraska. Social sportsbooks, such as Fliff and Rebet, are other possibilities.
If you want to use a mobile sportsbook on your smartphone, you’ll have to wait or travel across state lines to a legal sports betting jurisdiction.
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Is Sports Betting Legal in Nebraska?
Retail sportsbooks are legal in the state of Nebraska. You can visit two casinos in Nebraska that host a retail sportsbook: WarHorse Casino in Lincoln and Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island.
Online sports betting apps and websites are permitted in Nebraska, but none have launched because the state has not instituted a plan to regulate them. The state is mandated by the Nebraska constitution to govern such gaming activity, but it has not yet taken action to pass the necessary legislation to create the regulatory body to perform that duty.
In 2021, Gov. Pete Ricketts signed sports betting bill LB 561 into law. The legislation calls for a 20% tax rate on sports betting operators’ adjusted gross revenue. It also requires consumers to be at least 21 years of age to register and place wagers on sports. Other regulations are not in place yet.
When Will Sports Betting Be Fully Legal in Nebraska?
The situation remains fluid. Retail sports betting is legal in NE, but online sports betting apps (or mobile sportsbooks) are not yet available. The law allows them, but the mechanism for issuing licenses has not yet been decided.
What’s Happening in Nebraska Sports Betting News Right Now?
- August 21, 2024: A group of 13 senators shut down Legislative Resolution 3CA, a Nebraska sports betting bill that would have allowed residents to vote on whether the legislature could legalize mobile sports betting. The senators highlighted increased addiction problems as one of the issues with a potential rollout of legal Nebraska betting apps.
- April 18, 2024: The Nebraska state legislature adjourns without addressing the regulation of mobile sports betting apps.
- November 1, 2023: WarHorse Casino begins accepting sports bets in Omaha for the first time. The temporary sportsbook space has betting kiosks as well as tellers for visitors to use to gamble.
- June 22, 2023: The WarHorse Casino Lincoln opens the state’s first retail sportsbook in partnership with Kambi Group. It is one of two operating sportsbooks in the state.
- October 21, 2022: The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission votes in favor of the legalization of sports betting in Nebraska.
- January 10, 2022: Nebraska Sen. Tom Briese introduced a bill (LB 876) requiring a 50-mile radius between proposed and established racinos in the Cornhusker State. Briese was the lead sponsor of the 2021 bill that legalized sports betting at licensed racetracks in Nebraska.
- May 27, 2021: Gov. Pete Ricketts signs LB 561, legalizing the construction of six retail casinos and in-person sports betting at those locations.
Nebraska Sports Betting Bills
The state made moves to legalize sports betting in 2021, but online sports betting wasn’t part of this push.
LB 561: Legalization of Sports Betting
In March 2021, the state legislature passed LB 561, which permitted sports betting, but only at retail locations. Gov. Pete Ricketts signed the legislation into law in May.
Prior to 2021, Nebraska Sen. Justin Wayne introduced LB 990, a bill to classify sports betting and online gaming as games of skill. The bill received some support, but legal observers argued that a constitutional amendment was necessary.
Nebraska has not taken action to use the Gaming Commission to license commercial sportsbooks for online betting.
NE Sports Betting Legalization Timeline
No sports betting bill or ballot proposal was on the agenda for Nebraska lawmakers during the legislative session that ended in the spring.
Sports betting companies, including DraftKings and FanDuel, opted not to petition Nebraska to put online sports betting on the ballot as a proposal. The state is in a strange position in that it allows for online sportsbooks by law but does not have rules expressly regulating and permitting the licensure of those sports betting apps.
WarHorse Casino opened its retail sportsbook.
In May, the legislature passes LB 561, legalizing in-person sports betting. Governor Ricketts signs it into law. But online betting is not resolved.
Key Players in the Push for Legal Nebraska Sports Betting
The state passed legal gaming thanks to a trio of ballot initiatives in November 2020. The first, Initiative No. 429, successfully amended the Nebraska state constitution to permit gaming. Initiative No. 430 created the Nebraska Gaming Commission to regulate gaming activity. Finally, by passing Initiative No. 431, NE voters agreed to a 20% tax rate on gaming operators.
Those ballot initiatives wouldn’t have been possible without the work of Sen. Justin Wayne, a Democrat from Omaha, who pressed for an expansion of gaming in his state starting in 2019.
A grassroots campaign called “Keep the Money in Nebraska” gathered close to half a million signatures to force the initiatives onto the ballot in 2020. Their primary goal was to ensure tax revenue from sports betting and casino activity would be paid to Nebraska, rather than leak into neighboring states with legal sportsbooks.
Gov. Pete Rickets, a Republican, showed the bipartisan effort of legalizing sports betting in Nebraska by his support of the ballot initiatives in 2020. In 2021, the state formed the Nebraska Gaming Commission.
Nebraska Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) Sites in 2026
Many sports followers enjoy playing DFS regularly. With apps such as FanDuel, you can make your lineup for the NFL or NBA every week of the season. DFS apps are free to download. You only pay to join a league or to play sweepstakes-style DFS games. You are putting your money down on the performance of an athlete using your knowledge of the leagues, not as a wager.
DFS Apps: Betr Promo Code | PrizePicks Fantasy Promo Code | SuperDraft Fantasy Promo Code | Underdog Fantasy Promo Code
Betting on Horse Racing in Nebraska
The Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission governs horse racing in the state. Parimutuel betting is not legal in Nebraska, but Nebraska has six locations where horse race bets can be submitted at betting windows: Atokad Downs in South Sioux City, Agricultural Park in Columbus, Fairplay Park in Hastings, Fonner Park in Grand Island, Horsemen’s Park in Omaha, and Lincoln Race Course in Lincoln.
See our horse betting apps page for more information.
Lottery in Nebraska
There are several lottery options in Nebraska. The Nebraska State Lottery was formed in 1993 and offers Daily Pick 5 and Pick 3 games and twice-weekly Pick ‘em games. Nebraska is also a member of the network of states that participate in the Mega Millions and Powerball.
Nebraska Online Casinos
State law does not permit online casinos or iGaming. Nebraskans can visit one of the state’s retail casinos to play slots or table games, but online slots, baccarat, and poker are not available.
Nebraska Online Poker
You can not legally play online poker in Nebraska at this time. The state’s constitution would need to be amended to allow for the addition of online poker.
Nebraska Esports Betting
Some states are pondering the legality of betting on esports events. The games are often popular titles like Fortnite or League of Legends. However, Nebraska does not allow wagering on esports.
Where To Bet in Nebraska: Retail Sportsbooks
With online sports betting on hold due to lack of regulation, here are the retail outlets taking sports bets in Nebraska.
| Casino | Sportsbook | Addesss |
|---|---|---|
| WarHorse Casino | WarHorse Sportsbook | 7055 S. First Street, Lincoln, NE 68512 |
| Grand Island Casino | Grand Island Sportsbook | 700 E. Stolley Park Road, Grand Island, NE 68801 |
How To Bet in Nebraska After Legalization
Once Nebraska makes sports betting legal online, you’ll be able to download sportsbook apps, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, or BetMGM. You’ll be required to confirm your identity and age and prove you are located in the state via geolocation technology.
Select a Nebraska Sportsbook App
Choose the online sportsbook that appeals to you. Once regulation occurs, you can expect several sportsbook operators to be available, such as DraftKings and FanDuel.
Claim Your Bonus Offer
You will get a new-user bonus, such as a deposit bonus match or bonus bets, which will serve as insurance on your first bet.
Create a Sports Betting Account
Some states have an in-person registration requirement. You may have to visit a retail casino affiliated with your sportsbook.
You will need to verify your identity in person or online. Provide your phone number, address, and Social Security number. A photocopy of your ID may also be requested.
Download the Sportsbook App
Click the download links on your sportsbook’s website or visit the App Store for iOS or the Google Play Store for Android.
Geolocation software will be used to make sure you are within Nebraska state lines when wagering.
Make Your Deposit
Submit your bankroll by depositing funds via credit card, debit card, bank transfer, PayPal, Skrill, or ACH. Different sportsbooks have different banking methods, so do a little research to make sure your preferred option is present.
Check out our best deposit methods guide for more information.
Place a Bet in Nebraska
Peruse the app to find the available markets that interest you and enjoy your wagering experience.
Sports To Bet on in Nebraska
With just under two million people, Nebraska is not a particularly populous state. The biggest city is Omaha, at less than half a million. Nebraska does not have a city that hosts a major professional sports team. Given its location in the upper Great Plains, Nebraska occupies a unique place in the sports world, fostering a passion for college sports.
In Nebraska, you’ll find big fan bases around college football and basketball. That’s to be expected. But volleyball and wrestling are also very popular. Both of those sports are primarily enjoyed at the collegiate level.
The Nebraska Cornhuskers, members of the Big Ten conference, are the most popular sports brand in the state, but Nebraskans also love to follow the NFL, MLB, soccer, golf, tennis, and other sports.
NFL Betting in Nebraska
According to LIDS, which sells licensed sports apparel nationwide, the most-bought NFL jersey in Nebraska belongs to Patrick Mahomes. This reflects the fact that many football fans in this state support the Kansas City Chiefs.
View: NFL odds
NBA Betting in Nebraska
Nebraska doesn’t have an NBA team. According to Data Pandas research, the most popular team based on internet searches and social media posts by Nebraskans is the Los Angeles Lakers.
View: NBA odds
MLB Betting in Nebraska
The Kansas City Royals play in Missouri, about 165 miles from Omaha. Then, the St. Louis Cardinals play about 350 miles from Omaha. To the north, the Minnesota Twins are fewer than 300 miles away from Omaha. That’s three MLB teams within driving range. Sports betting apps in Nebraska will offer odds for those three teams, plus the whole MLB.
View: MLB odds
NHL Betting in Nebraska
Once sports betting apps in NE are online, you’ll be able to place wagers on the NHL, including player props, moneylines, season awards, and the Stanley Cup playoffs.
View: NHL odds
College Betting in Nebraska
The Nebraska Cornhuskers are by far the most popular sports team in this college football-loving state. They have won five national championships. When mobile sportsbooks are available, you can expect odds on Cornhusker football and basketball, as well as college baseball and other sports. Each season when the Cornhuskers face Michigan, Ohio State, or other Big Ten rivals, you’ll be able to place wagers on those exciting games.
View: College football odds
Types of Bets To Expect at NE Sportsbooks
When Nebraska debuts online sports betting, all the most popular bet types will be at your fingertips. Here’s a quick rundown.
Moneyline
With a moneyline bet, the most common wager, you pick the winning team. Moneyline odds are calculated in $100 increments. For example, if the Royals are +155 against the Cardinals, that means the Royals are underdogs. If you bet $100 on the Royals to win, a winning bet will pay $155.
Futures
Futures bets allow you to place a wager on whether a team will win a championship or a player will win a season-long award. For example, you might find odds that the Texas Rangers will win the next World Series at +1000. That means a winning bet of $100 would earn $1,000 in profit.
Props
Player and game props are bets on a player reaching a specific benchmark or a team hitting a certain statistic. For example, you could bet on whether Patrick Mahomes will throw for more than 300 yards or whether the Chiefs will score more than three touchdowns.
Total (Over/Under)
The over/under is a wager on combined scoring in a game. If the over/under for the Chiefs vs. Broncos is 43.5 and you bet the Over, the teams must combine for more than 44 points for you to win. If you don’t believe they can clear 43.5 points for the game, bet the Under.
Point Spread
In a point spread bet, you’re gambling on whether a team can clear a certain margin of victory or defeat. For example, if the Chiefs are -8.5 against the Broncos, that means if you wager on the Chiefs, you will need KC to win by at least 9 points to cash your bet.
Sports Betting Apps That Could Launch in Nebraska
Several sportsbooks will likely crop up in Nebraska when the state gets online sports betting. We know that DraftKings and FanDuel will probably apply for licenses since they already operate DFS in Nebraska. Let’s look at a few other likely candidates.
The BetMGM mobile sports betting app is one of the most reliable on the market. Known for its breadth of odds on the NFL, NBA, and MLB, this sportsbook also has an easy-to-use parlay builder. You’ll find live betting at BetMGM, plus daily offers for odds boosts and promo offers like bonus bets.
- Key features: Experts hand out parlay specials, odds boosts regularly
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.8; Google 4.5
We don’t know if Caesars will set up shop in Nebraska when the state launches sports betting. But we hope it does because of Caesars’ security, fair odds, and special offers for new and existing customers.
- Key features: The loyalty program
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.6; Google 4.3
Though BetRivers may not be as well-known as other sportsbooks, it has a loyal following in every state where it’s available for download. The BetRivers experience is enjoyable because the app runs smoothly on your mobile device, whether it’s an iPhone or Android.
- Key features: Fantastic customer support
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.4; Google 3.7
The same-game parlay builder from DraftKings is the best on the market. Nebraska sports fans will enjoy browsing the daily odds from this app and sports betting site. Deposit funds easily, and withdraw winnings with ease, too.
- Key features: Excellent odds on many sporting events
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOS and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.7; Google 4.7
In most states, FanDuel is either first or second in market share with DraftKings Sportsbook. This operator provides odds for international athletic events and domestic leagues like the NFL, NHL, and MLB. You’ll also get odds on the PGA, LPGA, NASCAR, and more professional leagues.
- Key features: No. 1 choice for live betting
- Live streaming? Yes
- Available on: iOs and Android
- App store ratings: Apple 4.9; Google 4.6
What To Look for in NE Sports Betting Apps
Have you ever heard of the rule of three? Well, we have, and we think it works pretty well for making a list of the best options in a sports betting app in Nebraska. We rate the most important sports betting app features this way.
- Odds Markets: A sports betting app can have many wonderful features, but if it doesn’t have the odds markets we want, what’s the point? An MLB fan wants to bet not only on the outcome of a game but also on their favorite team and player via prop bets. Can you find lots of odds on your game of choice? If you can, you’ve found a good sports betting app.
- Nebraska Sportsbook Promo Offers: When you want to start betting in Nebraska, why use your own money? At first, you may get bonus bet offers, like “$150 in Bonus Bets if Your First Wager Loses,” and much more.
- In-App Highlights: The days of flipping between two screens to see your betting slip and game highlights are gone. That was so 2018. Now, sports bettors expect to be able to see actual NFL and MLB highlights from within the sports betting app as the game is being played.
How Nebraska Sports Betting Compares To Other Markets
Compared to other legal sports betting states, Nebraska has a lot to accomplish before its citizens can access sportsbooks. No online sportsbooks are available right now.
But Nebraska did establish rules for retail sportsbooks in May 2021, namely:
- Sports bets are only allowed in designated areas in person at approved racetracks and can only be made on a kiosk.
- All sports betting operators are required to ensure that bettors are in physically designated wagering areas when placing bets in Nebraska.
- Authorized sports bets include wagers on professional, collegiate, and international sports, individual sports awards, simulated games, and other activities.
- As the law is written currently, prop bets are prohibited.
- No bets are allowed on in-state college teams.
It’s difficult to compare Nebraska’s revenue figures directly to those of its neighbors with full online sports betting. Nebraska does not make its revenue figures public.
Nebraska Sports Betting Revenue Projections
Many states are raking in oodles of tax revenue from legal sports betting. But Nebraska has only a pair of retail sportsbooks, inside casinos. The state law currently only permits sportsbooks at “racino” locations.
However, few states with such laws on sports betting have smaller populations than Nebraska’s. The state has fewer than two million residents. At a tax rate of 20% on adjusted gross revenue, there probably wouldn’t be much tax revenue, when compared to other market segments. In New York, for example, where the state has a population of more than 19 million, the tax rate is 51% on sports betting operators. That policy has led to piles of tax revenue for the state. But Nebraska has about 10% of that population and a far lower tax on the sportsbooks.
No extensive research has been done on how much revenue would be created for the state when and if Nebraska launches online sportsbooks. But in 2023, Iowa (with its population of 3.2 million) received roughly $25 million in tax revenue from combined mobile and in-person sports betting. Nebraska is a less populous state than Iowa, so we’d expect less revenue from sports betting.
There’s also the question of whether Nebraskans would be able to bet on the Cornhuskers once online sports betting is legalized. Currently, Nebraskans can bet only on away games, not those played in the state.
See our sports betting revenue page for more details on revenue from sports betting across the country.
Nebraska Responsible Gaming
One of the most important issues accompanying the expansion of legalized sports betting in the United States is responsible gaming (RG). Jurisdictions and their citizens are concerned that access to legal sports betting may lead to an increase in gambling addiction.
As a result, regulatory bodies in the US have taken steps to establish RG programs. In most states, there are toll-free numbers and agencies that provide emergency resources to stem the dangers of addiction. Bettors can access tools to learn the warning signs of gambling addiction and strategies to help consumers bet on sports responsibly.
More Resources for Nebraska Bettors
Visit our Responsible Gaming page for more resources.
Nebraska Sports Betting FAQ
Yes, you can wager on sporting events at one of two casino sportsbook locations. Online wagering is not available.
You may use the DraftKings daily fantasy app in Nebraska. DraftKings Sportsbook is not currently available.
No, FanDuel is not yet available for sports betting in Nebraska. You will have to wait for legal sports betting apps to launch in the state. That will require action from the NE state legislature and approval from the voters. That said, you can play FanDuel DFS in Nebraska.
When Nebraska launches legal sportsbooks, users will need to be located in Nebraska when registering and wagering online. Residency will not be a requirement.
Current laws in Nebraska require citizens to be at least 21 years old to gamble at retail sportsbooks. That’s likely the age you will see for online sportsbooks.
None at this time. Major operators will likely make their online sportsbooks available when Nebraska regulations are established.
The sports wagering catalog in Nebraska allows for betting on college sports, the NFL, NBA, and other sports. Currently, wagers can only be made at retail sportsbooks licensed by the state. Bets on college games being played in the state are not allowed.
That remains to be seen. Obviously, betting on the Cornhuskers would be a huge deal in Nebraska, but right now, retail sportsbooks cannot accept bets on in-state college games. Away games are allowed for betting, but we’ll have to see if that rule changes when online sportsbooks debut.
Offshore, unregulated sportsbooks are always illegal. They are also dangerous for consumers. The money you wager with an illegal sportsbook is not protected from fraud by state laws. Typically, there is no mechanism for filing a dispute with an offshore sportsbook, which places your activity in jeopardy.
The state does not have a law prohibiting online sports betting. However, Nebraska has not yet established a process for licensing and regulating such gaming activity. Lawmakers will need to change gaming laws to allow for such activity.
Other Types of Gambling in Nebraska
If you visit one of the two legal retail sportsbooks in Nebraska, you can place wagers on the NFL, NBA, MLB, college sports (excluding in-state college teams), the Olympics, the World Cup, and much more. All that said, you cannot bet online.
Social Sportsbooks in Nebraska
Social sportsbooks such as Fliff are legal in Nebraska. Here, you can make picks on sporting events using virtual currencies called Fliff Coins and Fliff Cash. The latter can be exchanged for prizes if you win enough.
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Rebet is also available. The app, founded by Ivy League grads, lets you play for fake money (Rebet Coins). If you are successful, you can collect Rebet Cash, which can be swapped for prizes.