The drive to bring online sports betting to the Cornhusker State is still alive, but the timetable for any launch may be pushed back due to legislative tweaks.
Legislative Resolution 3CA advanced out of the Nebraska Legislature's General Affairs Committee this week and awaits further action from the unicameral body.
As originally written, L.R. 3CA proposed allowing casino operators with in-person sports betting to offer online sports wagering as well, including in partnership with entities such as DraftKings or FanDuel.
The measure would be put to voters for approval, but after that, the resolution would likely have kicked the process over to regulators for further action. A companion piece of legislation, L.B. 13, had additional provisions, including one that would have made it possible for L.R. 3CA to be on the ballot this November rather than two years from now.
Read the fine print
But L.R. 3CA moved out of committee and L.B. 13 has not. Moreover, there is an amendment now attached to L.R. 3CA that would kick the issue back to the legislature if it is approved by voters.
The proposed constitutional amendment that would be put to voters has gone from saying it would "permit an authorized gaming operator" to engage in online sports betting, to saying it would "authorize the Legislature to provide by law" for a casino or its partner to do the same.
The Nebraska state constitution does allow for a special election on a proposed amendment to be called if four-fifths of lawmakers agree, so it’s possible for a quicker vote on online sports betting. Nebraska's special legislative session is ongoing, with at least three more days of sittings remaining on the calendar for lawmakers to try to find ways to reduce property taxes.
First things first...
Nevertheless, if L.R. 3CA doesn’t pass at all, the issue is moot. And, if that’s the case, Nebraskans will remain with legal sports betting that is offered only at brick-and-mortar casinos in the state. That would be despite signs residents are interested in a mobile option being added, according to the sponsor of L.R. 3CA.
“The demand for mobile sports betting is clear,” Sen. Eliot Bostar said during a July 31 committee hearing. “And it's in our best interest to regulate and benefit from it.”
