Nebraskans Can Decide the Future of Online Betting
Date: 2024-08-13 Author: Leon Pierce Categories: SPORTS BETTING
Sports betting has been legal and active in Nebraska for more than three years, but online betting has remained illegal until now. That could change, however, and residents of the state may get the chance to vote on this new measure.
A Long-Awaited Step Toward Legalizing Online Betting in Nebraska
A significant shift has recently taken place in the state. The Nebraska Legislature’s General Affairs Committee passed a resolution to advance 3CA, a bill that would expand sports betting to the online segment. The vote on the measure ended 5-2 in favor of advancing the bill, indicating widespread support among lawmakers.
The primary purpose of this bill is to put the issue to the floor and amend the state constitution. If enough voters support the initiative, online sports betting would be legalized. It is worth noting that similar measures regarding sports betting have previously been approved by the majority of the population.
However, the time to prepare and submit the initiative to a vote is limited. If the legislative process drags on, the next possible vote on this issue will not take place before 2026.
Despite the presence of critics, most legislators are confident that the current content of the bill is sufficient to put it to a vote as early as 2025. If approved by voters and legislators, the final version of the bill may be finalized in the future.
Attractiveness of tax revenues for the state
The bill to legalize online betting is attracting attention, including the possibility of a significant increase in tax revenue. According to preliminary estimates, legalizing online betting will bring an additional $32 million in taxes to the state, which is a strong argument in its favor. Nebraska does not have a long history of resistance to sports betting, especially after the federal ban on this activity was lifted in 2018.
Some officials, like Gov. Jim Pillen, initially appeared neutral on the legalization issue. He said he would not stand in the way of the bill if it came before him. However, he also noted that it would be better to leave the issue for later to avoid possible objections.
However, potential tax revenues are important. For example, committee members Senators Jana Hughes of Seward and Tom Brewer of Gordon, while voicing some reservations, acknowledged that the potential revenue for the state is a strong argument for the bill.
Although 3CA has not yet been finalized, its progress has inspired optimism among advocates for legalizing online betting.
