Sports Betting Operators Throwing Support Behind Nebraska Betting Initiative

• FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics Sportsbook recently donated to a Nebraska sports betting initiative
• The companies donated more than $2.6 million to Tax Relief Nebraska in February and March
• The initiative will legalize online sports betting and allow platform providers to partner with up to two online sports betting operators

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Four of the largest sports betting companies in the country are turning their attention, and money, to Nebraska sports betting legalization efforts.

FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and Fanatics Sportsbook donated more than $2.6 million in February and March to Tax Relief Nebraska, a ballot question committee supporting an initiative to legalize online sports betting in the Cornhusker State.

The committee is currently collecting valid voter signatures to place a referendum question on the November general ballot to amend the state’s constitution to allow the new form of gaming in the state.

Millions Heading Nebraska’s Way

According to campaign finance records in the state, DraftKings and FanDuel both contributed $1,162,500 to Tax Relief Nebraska for its referendum question efforts. Additionally, FBG Enterprises OPCO (Fanatics) contributed $75,000 to the cause, while Roar Digital, a joint venture of BetMGM, contributed $250,000 to the group.

The contributions were made in February and March. The contributions will support Tax Relief Nebraska’s efforts to collect the necessary valid signatures to place a question on the state’s November general election ballot

Sports betting is currently legal in the state, but Tax Relief Nebraska is hoping to expand gaming to include online sports through a constitutional amendment. Supporters began the process in September and can now start moving towards placing a question on the state’s ballot.

Tax Relief Nebraska began its signature collecting process in February. No updates have been provided on the number of signatures that have been collected so far.

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State, the organizers will have to collect verified signatures equaling 7% or more of registered voters in Nebraska. For a constitutional amendment, 10% of the registered voters must sign, and for a referendum at least 5% must sign.

In addition, signatures must be collected from 5% of the registered voters in 38 of the 93 Nebraska counties.

According to Nebraska voter registration statistics, as of February there are 1,254,285 registered voters in the state. If 10% of registered voters must sign for a constitutional amendment, this means proponents will have to collect more about 125,428 signatures to place a question on the ballot.

Legislators Failed to Pass Bill Last Several Years

Over the last several years legislators have floated bills to legalize online sports betting in the state through a constitutional amendment, but all have failed.

In March 2025, the Nebraska Senate General Affairs Committee approved Sen. Eliot Bostar’s (D-29) legislation, LR20CA, by a 6-2 vote. The bill called for the legalization of online sports betting through a constitutional amendment. Bostar said Nebraska could expect an additional $32 million in total tax revenues over the next 2.5 years if legalized.

The Nebraska Senate approved Bostar’s legislation by a 27-16 vote in April 2025, one of a necessary three to be legalized, but a second vote was eventually blocked by a filibuster. Detractors of online sports betting in the state warned of rising problem gaming rates and over promises of reduced property tax rates from gambling revenues.

Bostar last year warned his fellow legislators about the potential of an initiative being circulated to legalize online sports betting. Bostar noted that members of the Nebraska casino industry reported they would attempt a signature drive to place a question on the ballot if his bill was not approved.

This would be similar to the way Missouri legalized sports betting, as its sports franchises pushed their own voting referendum through the Show-Me State in 2024.

Bostar said Nebraska lawmakers would have more of a say as to how online sports betting is legalized if they approve their own crafted bill. Sen. John Cavanaugh (D-9) agreed with Bostar, noting during discussions that legalized sports betting gives him a considerable amount of “heartburn,” but the legislature should have control over what is placed on a ballot rather than Nebraska casinos.