• Constitutional amendment LR 20CA would legalize online sports betting in Nebraska
• The willbet app download freeproposed amendment needs to pass 3 Senate votes
• Online sports betting in Nebraska could be legal as early as 2027

Fans of online betting in Nebraska have something to look forward to in the Senate. A constitutional amendment that seeks to legalize digital sports betting is heading to the Senate floor, sparking hopes of bringing online sportsbooks to the state.

Nebraska has been widely touted as probably the state with the best shot at legalizing digital sports betting in the US. If constitutional amendment LR 20CA manages to win enough votes in the Senate, the issue of legalizing online sports betting in the state will be included in the November 2026 state ballot. At that stage, the public will get to vote on whether they wish to approve the proposed changes and bring legal sports betting to the state.

How the constitutional amendment can be passed

Before a Senate committee on Monday (17th of March) voted 6-2 to push the proposed constitutional amendment LR 20CA to the floor, the mood was very indifferent in Nebraska’s gaming circles. There were no immediate hopes of bringing legal online sports betting to the state. However, now the issue is going to be put to a vote in the Nebraska Senate. And while the recentonline betting newsbrings ample cause for optimism, there are still several hurdles ahead.

Nebraska holds a unique position in the US. It is the only state in America with a unicameral, or single-chamber, legislature. So while the proposed constitutional amendment has already passed the Senate General Affairs, it needs to get a two-thirds majority on each of three votes on the Senate floor before it gets put on the state’s ballot.

It is expected that the bill will go on the 2026 ballot. And if it manages to get enough votes at the polls, digital sports betting would still have to wait until 2027 at the earliest to launch in the state.

Opposition and concerns about the proposed legislation

As expected, a few people have raised concerns about the implications of passing the constitutional amendment. Many believe that the legislation, which would give residents of the state access to online sportsbooks, would only increase the amount of gamblers in the state.

The most prominent argument in favor of the constitutional amendment is that it will provide more revenue for the state. Money that can be used to improve the public institutions and infrastructure of the state. The proposed legislation moved forward despite heavy opposition at a hearing on 10 March, and it will now move to the Senate.

The fate of LR 20CA on the Senate floor remains unclear. However, there are high hopes among lawmakers and fans of digital sports betting in Nebraska that the Senate would pass the proposed constitutional amendment.

How legal digital sports betting will benefit Nebraska

The stringent restrictions in place against digital sports betting in Nebraska are not without consequence. Many Nebraskans are forced to cross into neighboring states where there are fewer restrictions for digital sports betting to place a bet.

Over the years, this development has contributed to increased revenue for those neighboring states and less for Nebraska. Proponents of LR 20CA point out that legalizing sports betting in Nebraska would keep this money from leaving the state.

A part of the proposed constitutional amendment proposes that all online platforms would have to be linked to “licensed racetrack enclosures” that give players the chance to wager. The tracks can also form partnerships with other online sports betting companies like BetMGM and a host of others. The amendment proposes that only a total of six licenses would be available in the state.

If voted into law, these changes will open up the sports betting industry in Nebraska. This will ultimately encourage more players to stay and play in Nebraska so as to ensure that the money stays in the state to help funding social development programs.

Forging ahead – What’s next for LR 20CA

The path ahead for LR 20CA on the Senate Floor remains uncertain. One thing is sure, however – it’s been a long time coming.

There have been other attempts to legalize sports betting in the state, often citing the issue of money leaving the state as a key point in favor of the legalization. At the moment, while Nebraska does not allow any form of online sports betting, it is surrounded by states that do allow it, making it easy for Nebraska citizens to drive to a friendly jurisdiction in order to access online sportsbooks.

There is also a concern among some lawmakers that if they take too long to take action, the iGaming industry will start collecting signatures to force the issue. Which would give the legislature less control over the scope of how much gambling will be allowed.

As Senator John Cavanaugh stated: “I’ve got a lot of heartburn about mobile sports betting. But if we don’t do this, they will put it on the ballot. And it will be more expansive than this.”