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Nebraska Sports Betting

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Retail sports betting was included in a larger gaming expansion bill in Nebraska by legislators. In May 2021, after the legislature passed the bill and the Governor Pete Rickets signed it sports betting became legal in Nebraska. This bill allowed for the legalization of both sports betting and casino gambling in Nebraska. The market opened to the public on May 27, 2021.

Despite the fact that sports betting became legal a bit late in Nebraska, the industry is still prospering. Nebraska only allows retail sports betting. There are currently no online sportsbooks, so only retail sportsbooks are available. Given the current state of sports betting in Nebraska, we can expect online sports betting to open soon.

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about sports betting in Nebraska.

Can you place a bet on sports online legally in NE?

For now, your main query would be, is it legal to bet on sports in Nebraska? So the answer to that is ‘no’ as of now.

In 2021, the legislature approved online sports betting sites, but it is getting delayed due to the changes in the law. Only retail or in-person sports betting is legal at the moment, but there aren’t any sportsbooks up and running yet. There are currently no online sportsbooks in Nebraska.

Following the launch of these retail operations, the state government may decide to expand sports betting to include mobile betting in the coming years. Still, it will take several months to launch online sports betting in NE. On the other hand, international online sportsbooks are not illegal to use under the state’s current laws.

Players from NE who want to bet on sports can use these offshore sportsbooks to do so safely and legally. If you want to bet legally on sports online in Nebraska, only use prestigious offshore sportsbooks that operate outside of state and US jurisdiction.

Sports betting sites that may launch in Nebraska

Currently, there are no sports betting sites available in Nebraska. But in the near future, when online sports betting becomes legal in Nebraska many sportsbooks like BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel, etc. will launch. We’ll take a look at these sportsbooks here.

DraftKings Nebraska

According to some sources DraftKings is likely to get the license as soon as online sports betting becomes legal in Nebraska. DraftKings started out as a daily fantasy sports option, but the company has grown in popularity as legal online gambling has become more popular in the United States.

They’ve evolved into a full-fledged sportsbook with a wide range of national and international events on which to place a bet. The in-depth statistical analysis available for each game is what really sets DraftKings apart. This is a wonderful tool for bettors who rely on statistics to place their bets. DraftKings also offers a variety of bonuses and promotions, as well as a number of Odds Boost options with increased payouts. A ‘One Game Parlay’ builder and a number of pre-made parlay bets are also available for the players to join with a single click.

BetMGM Nebraska

As soon as online gambling becomes legal, Nebraska sports betting sites will surely see BetMGM joining the list. It is likely to get the license and hit the market. With a diverse range of domestic and international sporting events to wager on, BetMGM has established itself as the leading online sportsbook in the United States. Every bettor will be able to find a broad range of markets for each event.

One Game Parlay builder is one of BetMGM’s best features, which allows the players to create a ticket for any big game quickly and easily. There are daily pre-made special parlays available for those who want to get right into the action. BetMGM has a variety of bonuses and promotions to suit any player’s needs, as well as daily exceptional odds boost via Lion’s Boost bets across the site. It’s easy to see why BetMGM has quickly separated itself from the competition, with such a strong design, good promotions, and a huge catalog.

Caesars Nebraska

It is always mentioned while discussing the top names in the gambling world. Among many bettors in the United States, the company is a leading player with a solid reputation. Particularly among those who have visited a sportsbook in Las Vegas.

With the legalization of online sports betting in the United States, Caesars is vigorously expanding into new markets. In terms of integration with the Caesars gambling world, the Caesars online sportsbook has obvious advantages.

BetRivers Nebraska

The BetRivers appears to be a well-known online sports operator with big bonuses, a user-friendly desktop interface, and swift payouts. After the Supreme Court overturned a federal sports wagering ban in 2018, Chicago-based Rush Street Interactive launched BetRivers. The US mobile sports betting app and website of the BetRivers Sportsbook are available now in numerous states. Apparently, the list is still growing.

Certainly, a generous welcome bonus entices the customers, which is followed by a variety of ongoing promotions that keep their interest. When the first retail and mobile sportsbooks opened in the re-regulated market in 2018, BetRivers began its rise to prominence in the United States. Through its partnership with the Rivers Casino Des Plaines, BetRivers became the first choice sportsbook to open in Illinois.

PointsBet Nebraska

It is an Australian brand, and it has a unique form of betting, PointsBetting that is shaking up the online betting markets in the United States. The platform offers a new perspective on the spread and total betting, in addition to the fixed odds betting that most bettors use. They use the philosophy of “the more you’re right, the more you win” to offer dynamic payouts based on margins of victory.

PointsBet’s betting app and online sportsbook provide an easy-to-use and engaging platform for traditional sports betting even without this intriguing innovation. The brand offers fixed odds at a reasonable price, as well as a variety of ongoing bonuses and promotion offers.

A timeline of sports betting in Nebraska

For years, sports betting in Nebraska looked like a pipe dream for the fans. And it is still like that even after the 2018 ruling of the Supreme Court in favor of PASPA. Nevertheless, an amendment to the state constitution could be proposed during the next election cycle.

  • May 2018 – In the United States, 14 May 2018, will go down in the history of legalized sports betting as a landmark date. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was overturned by the Supreme Court, which ended 36 years period of prohibition on sports betting in much of the United States. From 1992 to 2018, the number of casinos that became legal in the United States increased dramatically. In contrast, PASPA’s effects meant that booming legal gambling markets like Pennsylvania and New Jersey were unable to provide sports betting at their in-state retail casinos.
  • November 2020 – Two gambling endeavors were successfully in the November 2020 ballot by Nebraska legislators. One of these allowed gambling at racetracks as well as the formation of the Nebraska Gaming Commission to serve as the industry’s governing body. It turned several horse racetracks into racetrack/casino hybrids known as ‘racinos’. The second initiative allowed for casino-style betting at those racetracks, which also includes “Vegas-style” games such as slot machines and blackjack. On the ballot of November 2020, both measures passed, which is a piece of good news for the fans of online sports betting in Nebraska.
  • May 2021 – The Legislature of Nebraska finally approved a proposed bill on March 18, 2021, that would authorize sports betting in retail. Conversely, it also prohibits mobile wagering and forbids any gambles on in-state college sports and teams. After passing both the House and the Senate, the bill- LB 561- was quickly sent to Governor Pete Ricketts’ desk. The governor had to sign or veto the bill till June 2, but there was no need for lawmakers to stress about overriding a veto. On May 27, 2021, the bill was signed by the governor. This made in-person retail wagering on six approved racetracks legal.
  • January 2022 – Senator Tom Briese of Nebraska introduced a bill, known as LB 876, on 7 Jan 2022 that requires a 50-mile buffer between proposed and existing racinos in Nebraska. Briese was the primary sponsor of a bill introduced in 2021 that would allow racetracks with licenses in Nebraska to offer sports betting.

Who regulates online sports betting in Nebraska?

The Nebraska Gaming Commission is a new agency that is in charge of regulating retail sports betting. Gaming Commission is in charge to monitor online sports betting Nebraska licenses, regulations, and fair gaming standards in Nebraska. They’re members of the Nebraska Pari-Mutuel Commission, and their names are interchangeable when it comes to legal sports betting in the Equality State.

In comparison to other states, the legal age for online sports betting is 18 years old. If users want to place bets on sportsbooks, they must be within the state’s borders. In order to legally place bets in Wyoming, users must first register with a licensed sportsbook. Additionally, users must not be on tribal land while doing so, and they must stay within the state’s borders. If online sports betting becomes legal in this state, they will almost certainly be in charge of regulating that aspect of the industry as well.

Because only retail sportsbooks are available in Nebraska, no regulations are available for online sportsbooks.

Brick-and-mortar sports betting venues in NE

For decades, there were very few places in the United States where bettors could find brick-and-mortar sportsbooks. However, sports fans in certain states can now place wagers on sports at local casinos, racinos, and off-track betting locations. There are numerous locations for land-based sports betting, as well as a combination of wagering options. Bookmakers are no longer restricted to accepting only one type of wager and can now accept wagers on all major sports leagues.

Sports fans still have a lot to learn about brick-and-mortar sports betting because the industry is still relatively new. New land-based sportsbooks are springing up all over the country, making it difficult to keep track of them all. There are differences in what each bookmaker has to offer, but reading sportsbook reviews for states where sports betting is legal can be beneficial. Finding out where to bet on sports in your state is simple as long as bettors stay informed about legal sports betting states and anticipated launch dates.

Nebraska has set up retail sports betting in such a way that there are six sportsbooks, each of which is located at a racetrack, making them racinos. Because these are the only retail sports betting options left in Nebraska, many online gambling fans are flocking to offshore sports betting sites. Here are some of the sports betting locations in Nebraska:

  1. Horseman’s Park Omaha
  2. Fonner Park Grand Island
  3. Fairplay Park Hastings
  4. Agricultural Park Columbus
  5. Atokad South Sioux City
  6. Lincoln Race Course Lincoln

FAQ

What is the legal age to bet on sports online in NE?

Nebraska sports betting sites require that you must be at least 21 years of age to bet on online sports betting. Whereas it has an 18-year-old minimum age for sports betting in retail casinos or for betting on horse racing. This means that anyone who lives within Nebraska's borders must be at least 18 years old to open an account with an online sportsbook and place bets.

Can you bet on horse racing online in Nebraska?

Yes. Horse racing and pari-mutuel betting on those races are both legal in Nebraska. You can bet on horse racing through advance deposit wagering apps and simulcast facilities. This means that residents can bet on horse racing with a number of companies from their computers or mobile devices. Whether their bets win or lose, horse bettors receive daily rebates. Online racebooks are the way to go with the year-round sportsbook bonuses and the ability to bet on races from the comfort of your own home. Any website claiming that sports betting is legal in Nebraska operates outside US law.

Do Nebraska sports betting sites need to be licensed?

Yes. In early 2022, Nebraska sports betting sites were expected to go live across the state. It now appears that a launch could take several months. When Nebraska goes live, only retail sportsbooks will be legal, and only at approved racetracks with licensed gaming operations. The fight for sports betting in Nebraska has lasted decades. In the Cornhusker State, sports bettors have a few options for placing wagers in person.