Nebraska online sports betting measures qualify for November 2026 ballot vote

Nebraska voters will get a say on two online sports wagering proposals in the November 2026 general election. The Secretary of State’s office said August 21 that both petition campaigns gathered enough valid signatures to make the ballot.

“The Secretary of State’s office announced today that signature thresholds have been met for both the Online Sports Wagering Authorization Constitutional Amendment petition and the Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative petition to appear on the 2026 general election ballot,” the office said in a release.

For the constitutional amendment, organizers needed signatures from 10% of registered voters statewide, plus 5% of registered voters in at least 38 counties. Officials verified at least 138,473 signatures, with the county requirement met in at least 64 counties.

The statutory Online Sports Wagering Regulation Initiative needed signatures from 7% of registered voters statewide and the same 5% threshold in 38 counties. At least 96,918 signatures were verified, and organizers cleared the county requirement in at least 55 counties.

Online sports betting debate now moves to Nebraska voters

County election officials were not required to keep reviewing every submitted signature after the campaigns had safely exceeded the minimum.

“The Elections Division instructed county election offices to conclude signature verification after the number of valid signatures met the 110% threshold as permitted in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 32-1409,” the Secretary of State’s office said about each petition.

Under Nebraska law, county officials compare petition information with voter registration records and confirm that signers were properly registered. The state can stop that process once county reports show “signatures in excess of one hundred ten percent of the number necessary to place the issue on the ballot have been verified,” allowing remaining checks to end.

Once those county reviews are complete, the Secretary of State determines whether a petition satisfies state requirements. The statute says, “If the petition is found to be valid and sufficient, the Secretary of State shall proceed to place the measure on the general election ballot.”

The ballot push follows earlier debate in the Legislature over expanding sports betting. In March 2025, lawmakers considered several proposals, including Sen. Elliott Bostar’s LR20CA, which sought a constitutional amendment allowing licensed racetracks to partner with online sportsbooks. Supporters argued Nebraska was losing potential tax revenue to illegal betting and neighboring states where online wagering is legal.

Opponents focused on addiction and financial harm. “If they want to bet on sports, they can, but this is trying to force it onto every device in the state,” said Nate Grasz of the Nebraska Family Alliance, as reported by SBC Americas.

“Anybody who wants to find online gambling can already find it,” added Mike Sciandra of the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program.

Public hearings on the certified measures will now be held in all three congressional districts, with dates and locations coming later. The state will also prepare an informational brochure.

Officials are still reviewing two other petition campaigns. The ballot must be certified by September 11. “All petitions will be processed and announced by that date,” the office said.

Featured image: Canva

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