Sportsbook giants DraftKings and FanDuel have pumped $10.4 million each into a campaign to legalize mobile sports betting in Nebraska, as voters prepare to decide the issue on Tuesday (Nov. 3).
This accounts for almost all the money raised by Tax Relief Nebraska, the committee supporting two sports-betting initiatives on the ballot. The campaign had collected nearly $22.5 million by Oct. 29, according to campaign finance figures reported Monday by the Nebraska Examiner.
Fanatics and BetMGM have also contributed, while millions of dollars have gone toward television advertising and other campaigning.
Nebraska already permits sports betting, but wagers must be placed in person at licensed racetrack casinos. Supporters argue that residents instead cross state lines to bet on their phones, particularly into neighboring Iowa, leaving Nebraska without the tax revenue.
Two Measures, One Vote
Voters must approve both Initiative 440, a constitutional amendment permitting online sports wagering, and Initiative 441, which establishes a regulatory framework.
Under the proposal, mobile sportsbooks would operate through partnerships with licensed Nebraska racetrack casinos, potentially allowing as many as 12 online platforms. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would have to adopt regulations by June 1, 2027.
Seventy percent of the resulting gambling tax revenue would go to a state property-tax relief fund, mirroring existing casino-tax arrangements.
Campaign sponsor Jordan McGrain argues that regulation would also provide consumer protections, while opponents question how much property-tax relief residents would actually receive.
Opponents say the financial benefit would be modest compared with the social costs of making gambling available around the clock. Save Nebraska Sports has enlisted former Cornhuskers football coach Tom Osborne and other current and former Nebraska athletes and coaches, who warn of addiction, aggressive advertising, and harassment of college players.
Political Fallout
The campaign’s spending has also attracted criticism because of a contribution to a state legislative hopeful.
On Oct. 27, Tax Relief Nebraska gave $750,000 to Tim Anderson, a Republican candidate in central Nebraska’s Legislative District 38. His campaign had raised about $95,000 before the contribution, according to local outlet News Channel Nebraska.
The payment prompted three prominent Republicans, US Sen. Pete Ricketts, State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg, and State Auditor Mike Foley to withdraw their endorsements of Anderson.
New advertisements promoting online sports betting are already running under Anderson’s name. Nebraska candidates can buy some political advertising at lower rates than ballot-measure committees, a practice lawmakers declined to prohibit earlier this year.
If voters approve both measures, Nebraska would become the 33rd state to authorize mobile sports betting.
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