Nebraska Gambling Laws: All You Need To Know
Nebraska has never been known as a gambler’s paradise, and there’s a good reason for that. The state has a history of being one of the most conservative when it comes to gambling, but that doesn’t mean all hope is lost. In this article, we will review Nebraska gambling laws and prove how the tide is slowly but surely changing in favor of aspiring gamblers in the state.
What Are The Gambling Laws in Nebraska?
Nebraska has always been one of the most conservative states when it comes to gambling, though a 2020 referendum paved the way for the government to legalize some forms of sports betting. Gambling, while highly restricted, has some hope of being legalized in Nebraska – though it will take much longer than other states who have already legalized online sportsbooks, mobile betting apps, and more. Stick with us until the end for a broad overview of the gambling landscape in Nebraska.
History of Gambling Laws in Nebraska
The Nebraska laws on gambling have always been particularly rigid, and the process of liberalizing them to even the slightest extent requires a change to the State Constitution. And that’s not the only challenging part. Any change to Nebraska gambling laws also requires a state-wide referendum so that the will of the people is honored.
Gambling has always, to a large extent, been illegal in Nebraska. It was only in 1934 that betting on horse racing was legalized through a constitutional element, prior to which all forms of gambling were illegal. The gambling laws in Nebraska haven’t evolved much since then.
Charity bingo was legalized in 1958, and keno was legalized in 1985. A big change to the horse racing scene took place in 1988 when off-track horse racing was finally approved by the state government. Voters led the next step in liberalizing Nebraska gambling laws, by voting for a state-sponsored lottery in 1992.
There was very little progress ever since, and all hope for the evolution of Nebraska gambling laws seemed lost until mid-2021. In what could be considered the biggest ever change to the Nebraska laws on gambling, sports betting was legalized in some forms in the state.
We have the people of Nebraska to thank for this. While the government has always been both inherently and outwardly opposed to gambling in any form, it was the electorate that started a petition that got so many signatures that it eventually had to make the ballot for a referendum.
The same electorate then overwhelmingly voted in favor of sports betting and casino games being legalized only at pari-mutuel race tracks. The government was compelled to amend the Constitution in line with the will of the people. This effort to change Nebraska gambling laws started to gain steam in 2020, and clearly shows that the people in the state have an appetite for gambling despite their history so far.
Overview of Nebraska Laws on Gambling
While the 2021 legalization of sports betting is definitely a positive sign for the future of gambling in Nebraska, we still wouldn’t take a punt on them expanding the scope of legalization anytime soon. Apart from the conservative stance of the government, the process of changing any Nebraska gambling laws is the biggest hurdle to fully legalizing gambling in the state. Amending the constitution and organizing a referendum prior to doing so, is certainly no mean feat.
However, all hope isn’t lost. The 2021 legalization of sports betting in pari-mutuel tracks also allowed the same tracks to organize – to quote the law – “Las Vegas style” casino games. However, the new law doesn’t mention online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps, which means we’re still unlikely to see any of the best sportsbooks setting up shop in Nebraska anytime soon.
The legalization of sports betting comes with even more riders, apart from only legalizing physical retail betting. Betting on college football games that take place in Nebraska, or on Nebraska football teams, is strictly prohibited. This removes a huge incentive for Nebraskans to make use of their new sports betting facilities.
As for casino games, the same racetracks offering sports betting are now allowed to organize casino games. However, there are also four dedicated Native American casinos that are allowed to organize Class II games.
Nebraska Online Gambling Laws
There is little scope for online gambling in Nebraska to be legalized anytime soon, since physical retail sports betting and casino games were only recently legalized and have yet to start.
Despite Nebraska legalizing sports betting and casino games in pari-mutuel racetracks in 2021, the constitutional amendment did not legalize online sportsbooks or mobile betting apps. Changing this would require another referendum and constitutional amendment, which are both highly unlikely since evidence suggests that Nebraska will always be slow on the uptake compared to other states.
Casinos in Nebraska
While the scene is yet to really come to life, casino games have now been legalized at pari-mutuel racetracks as part of the updated Nebraska gambling laws. There have always been four casinos operating in Nebraska, owned by Native Americans, and governed by the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
- Iron Horse Bar & Casino
- Lucky 77
- Native Star Casino
- Ohiya Casino
These casinos are allowed to offer what is legally known as Class II casino games, which include slot machines, keno, bingo, and live keno. The Nebraska gambling laws for casinos allow only slot machines that deliver random results based on bingo cards, unlike the Class III slot machines in Vegas that use a random number generator. Still, the state is far away from offering some of the best online casinos in the USA.
Sports Betting Laws
Betting on your favorite sports teams is now finally possible in Nebraska since the NE government legalized sports betting at racetracks in 2021. However, online sports betting remains illegal, and you may not bet on Nebraska college teams or games that take place in the state. While that takes away a lot of appeal from the sports betting scene in Nebraska, it still leaves gamblers with more than they did before.
Nebraska Gambling Laws FAQs
You have reached the end of our article about the Nebraska gambling laws. We hope you now have an understanding of the precarious state of gambling in the state. Before you leave, have a look at the answers to some frequently asked questions.
1️⃣ What types of gambling are legal in Nebraska?
Nebraska allows betting on horse racing, keno, bingo, lottery, and bingo-card-based slot machines. There are four land-based casinos offering these games, as well as some racetracks. Sports betting and "Las Vegas style" casino games were recently legalized only in Nebraska’s racetracks. Online betting remains illegal under the Nebraska gambling laws.
2️⃣ Is online gambling legal in Nebraska?
The government of Nebraska recently legalized sports betting and casino games at racetracks. The new law did not mention online sportsbooks, which means that online gambling in Nebraska is still illegal, and there are currently no changes on the horizon.
3️⃣ Do Nebraskans participate in online gambling?
Nebraska has always had a hsitory of being a conservative state when it comes to gambling, so it’s largely unknown to what extent they have an appetite for gambling. Nebraskans cannot participate in online gambling because it is illegal in the state.
4️⃣ Can Nebraska residents enjoy offshore gambling?
While there is no restriction on travelling to a neighbouring state for a night of gambling, Nebraskans cannot enjoy online gambling on any of the sportsbooks available elsewhere in the US while living in Nebraska. Although online gambling is prohibited in the state, there are some NE casinos that players can enjoy.
5️⃣ Is sports betting legal in Nebraska?
Sports betting at racetracks has been legal in Nebraska since 2021. As of writing this article, online sports betting remains illegal. We do not anticipate seeing any changes to the gambling laws on sports betting, but if this does happen, we will let you know.