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OMAHA, Neb. (Gambling911.com) - Nebraska voters have spoken, rejecting a proposal to legalize online sports betting in Tuesday's election.
Two ballot measures lost by approximately 8–9 percentage points, despite a multimillion-dollar campaign backed largely by DraftKings and FanDuel.
Initiative 440 would have amended Nebraska's Constitution to permit lawmakers to authorize online sports betting through operators associated with licensed racetrack casinos.
Initiative 441 would have established the statutory framework for online wagering, including regulation of sportsbook operators.
The Tax Relief Nebraska campaign reportedly raised approximately $22.5 million, almost all of it from sports betting companies DraftKings and FanDuel. Supporters argued that legalization would capture money already flowing to offshore sportsbooks or neighboring states and generate revenue for property tax relief.
Opponents, including Nebraska Family Alliance and Save Nebraska Sports and State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg and State Auditor Mike Foley, raised concerns about gambling addiction, access through mobile phones and whether tax benefits would be meaningful.
Nebraska currently regulates sports betting at designated casinos and race tracks. These locations include WarHorse Casino Lincoln, WarHorse Casino Omaha, Grand Island Casino Resort, Harrah's Columbus Racing & Casino and Lake Mac Casino Resort & Racetrack.
Nebraska Online Sports Betting Referendum Results
Unofficial results reported November 4, based on 930 of 1,322 precincts fully reporting.
Ballot measure Yes No Defeat margin
Initiative 440 — Constitutional amendment 45.5% 54.5% 9.0 points
Initiative 441 — Online betting regulations 45.9% 54.1% 8.2 points
The reported vote totals were:
- Initiative 440: 297,333 for; 356,690 against — a difference of 59,357 votes.
- Initiative 441: 300,052 for; 353,892 against — a difference of 53,840 votes.
These figures are from a November 4 report citing the Nebraska Secretary of State's unofficial returns.
- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com
