Efforts are underway to make online sports betting legal in Nebraska through the ballot box in 2026.
It’s a risky bet, as 15% of Nebraskans with gambling addiction cite sports betting as their main gambling form. Betting addiction statistics show that over 50% of online bettors chase losses.
To make matters worse, the online betting industry generates most of its revenue from people with addiction.
Online sportsbooks can feel like fintech apps — nearly frictionless deposits, nonstop gambling lines, and push notifications designed to keep you using the product.
That design is risky and can cause addiction. In states with licensed online sportsbook apps, approximately 90% of betting happens online. Helpline calls typically rise alongside access.
Nebraska currently has sports betting, but not online. Nebraskans could soon decide whether to allow online betting apps. Let’s examine the state’s sports betting landscape.
Is Online Gambling on the Ballot in Nebraska?
Sports betting backers are preparing a 2026 ballot drive to authorize statewide online sports betting. Proponents went the ballot route after legislative efforts stalled.
Late 2025 reports from Nebraska Public Media and gambling industry outlets describe a petition campaign aimed at the 2026 general election.
As of September 2025, sports betting proponents were preparing to gather signatures. They would need 10% of registered voters, or about 125,000 Nebraskans.
Whether voters want betting on mobile devices despite the public health consequences will be the question. It will be a tough decision for many Nebraskans.
A 2024 study found that residents of sports betting states have worsening financial health.
Online sports betting is also controversial in the U.S.
For example, a California sports betting poll showed only 25% want legalization. When Missouri, a Nebraska neighbor, approved betting in 2024, it was by less than 3,000 votes. So far, the gambling industry has been unable to convince Georgia of sports betting legalization.
Gambling Addiction in Nebraska
Nebraska’s Problem Gamblers Assistance Program has reported rising demand.
Helpline calls in FY2023 were up 34% year-over-year. Nebraska began sports betting in 2023.
Among July–December 2023 gambling addiction clients, 5.2% reported a suicide attempt.
Mobile devices were the primary venue for 20.9% of Nebraska gamblers. Median gambling-related household debt was $10,000. Average debt was nearly $60,000.
Another 10% of Nebraskans with gambling addiction said they primarily gamble at home. This could include sports betting and casino websites rather than apps.
Nebraska borders several states with online sportsbooks.
If you need help, Nebraska offers free counseling statewide and a dedicated helpline at 1-833-BETOVER (238-6837). Funding comes from state-sanctioned gambling.
Does Nebraska Allow Online Sports Betting?
No. Nebraska permits retail, in-person sports betting only at licensed racetrack casinos.
Wagers must be placed on-site at a sportsbook window or kiosk. Mobile betting statewide is prohibited under Nebraska law and regulation.
While Nebraska does not allow online sportsbooks, sweepstakes and offshore sportsbooks, and “prediction” sportsbooks like Kalshi and Polymarket, operate in the state.
Those platforms are unlicensed and unregulated by Nebraska.
The legality of sweepstakes, offshore, and prediction sportsbooks has been hotly debated in Nebraska and elsewhere in the U.S. Critics say those platforms are illegal gambling.
Can You Bet on Nebraska Sports in Nebraska?
Yes, but only in person at approved locations.
- Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Columbus
- Elite Sportsbook at Grand Island Casino
- WarHorse Casino Sportsbook locations in Lincoln and Omaha
State rules restrict certain college wagers.
You cannot bets on Nebraska college teams when the game is in Nebraska. Additionally, you cannot bet in-game (live) on any game involving a Nebraska college team.
College player props are not allowed in Nebraska. Broader under-18 athlete prop bans also apply.
Generally, Nebraska permits a significant array of college sports betting.
When Can You Gamble in Nebraska? (Legal Ages)
Nebraska follows typical legal gambling age laws seen elsewhere in the U.S.
- Sports betting (retail only): 21+
- Casino games at racetrack casinos: 21+
- Lottery and Keno: 19+
- Charity gambling (bingo/raffles): generally 18+
Why the legal age matters: Studies have shown that youth are more vulnerable to developing problem gambling.
Furthermore, the younger a person starts gambling, the more likely it is that they will develop a problem later in life.
Nebraska Sports Betting FAQ
For most people, Gambling Harm recommends avoiding the use of betting apps. These products are designed to be habit-forming, making them potentially more dangerous than in-person betting.
Whether online sports betting is legal in Nebraska is besides the point here. While regulated apps have some safeguards compared to offshore sportsbooks, these products still cause widespread harm.
You might be wondering whether specific sportsbook apps are legal in Nebraska. Let’s explain.
Is DraftKings Legal in Nebraska?
Retail sports betting only — no DraftKings Sportsbook app statewide.
DraftKings lists the states where it offers online sports betting, and Nebraska is not among them. Daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests from national operators do accept paid entries in NE under current practice, but DFS is not specifically regulated by statute.
Is FanDuel Legal in Nebraska?
No statewide FanDuel Sportsbook app. FanDuel’s own map shows where it offers online wagering, and Nebraska is not listed.
Can You Use BetMGM in Nebraska?
No. Nebraska has no legal online sportsbooks. Nebraska regulators do not authorize any mobile app taking real-money sports bets statewide. Retail books are permitted at licensed racetrack casinos only.
Can You Use Bet365 in Nebraska?
No statewide online sports betting — so no Bet365 Sportsbook app.
Can You Do PrizePicks in Nebraska?
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) operators say they accept real-money entries from Nebraskans (PrizePicks lists Nebraska among available states).
Note: DFS is a separate product from sports betting and operates without dedicated Nebraska regulation. Legal interpretations for this form of gambling can evolve.
Is Underdog Legal in Nebraska?
Underdog states its contests are available in Nebraska (with a minimum age of 19 noted in its materials).
As with PrizePicks, DFS is distinct from sports betting and not specifically regulated by Nebraska statute. Consumers should proceed cautiously, as these apps are also addictive.
Summary: Nebraska Sports Betting Legality
Is Nebraska sports betting legal? Yes, but with key limitations.
Nebraska only allows in-person sports betting, but a 2026 ballot push could convert the market into a mobile gambling landscape.
That shift could expand gambling participation, speed up dangerous betting cycles, and increase exposure to loss-chasing features. These challenges and costs would be borne not just by individual users but by families and communities. It’s a bad bet to legalize online sports betting.
Nebraska voters will have to decide if any tax demands justify the added risk.
If you or someone you know needs help: call 1-800-GAMBLER for 24/7 confidential support or Nebraska’s dedicated line at 1-833-BETOVER (238-6837).
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