TLDR
- Unofficial results show Nebraska voters rejecting Initiatives 440 and 441 on online sports betting.
- Initiative 440 was trailing about 55% to 45% in early counts.
- The pro-betting campaign raised more than $22 million, and opponents say they were outspent 20 to 1.
- Both measures needed to pass for mobile betting apps to launch.
- Sports betting stays limited to in-person wagers at five racetrack casinos.
A campaign that raised more than $22 million was not enough to bring online sports betting to Nebraska. Unofficial results from the November 3 election show voters rejecting Initiatives 440 and 441.
Opponents said they were outspent 20 to 1. Even so, both measures were trailing by roughly 9 to 10 percentage points when early counts came in.
The Nebraska Secretary of State posted unofficial results shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, 885 of the state’s 1,322 precincts were fully reporting.
Reported margins differed a little between outlets, likely because they checked at different times. The Washington Times reported Initiative 440 was 55% against, while The New York Times reported Initiative 441 was 54.5% against.
A Two-Part Plan That Needed Both Votes
According to Forbes, the proposal was built as a package, and both parts had to pass. Initiative 440 was a constitutional amendment that would have authorized online sports wagering.
Initiative 441 was a statutory measure, meaning a regular state law. It would have set the rules and the tax framework for online betting.
Betting apps could not have launched on their own under the plan. Each one would have needed to partner with one of the state’s established racetrack casinos.
Supporters had hoped to launch mobile apps by spring. They said the tax money would go toward property tax relief.
Money on One Side, Coalitions on the Other
The push came from Tax Relief Nebraska, a coalition backed by state casinos and online sports betting groups. The group turned to a petition drive after years of resistance in the Legislature.
Getting on the ballot took a large signature effort. In late June, the coalition turned in more than 201,000 signatures for the constitutional amendment.
Lynne McNally, government relations director for the proponent side, called the result a real loss. She argued that online betting already happens across Nebraska without regulation or taxes.
The main opposition group was Save Nebraska Sports. Sponsor Jordan McGrain said results as of midnight seemed “pretty clear” and described the race as a “David and Goliath” matchup.
Nate Grasz, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance, said voters were not convinced that regulated betting would lower taxes. The Nebraska Catholic Conference also urged voters to reject the measures.
Supporters have long pointed to lost tax money. Nebraska Public Media reported on 2024 testimony from a casino industry representative estimating the state loses $30 million a year to states with regulated online betting.
Nebraska would have joined more than 30 states that allow regulated online sports betting. For now, it stays outside that group.
Nothing changes for bettors at this point. Sports betting remains limited to in-person wagers at the state’s five racetrack casinos, where bettors must be 21 or older.
Retail betting came under state oversight after voters approved casino gaming in 2020. Any new push for online betting would have to go through the Legislature or another petition drive.
Margins could still shift as the remaining precincts report. Based on the unofficial counts, neither measure appears on track to pass.
