Nebraska Sports Betting

Editor’s note: As of Jan. 18, 2021

If Nebraskans want to bet on sports they better be prepared to wait.

If residents are incapable of waiting, they should plan on following the lead of many of fellow Cornhuskers and head over the state line to Iowa.

Council Bluffs, Iowa, just over the Missouri River from Omaha is home to three casinos that offer sports betting – Harrahs, Horseshoe Council Bluffs and Ameristar Council Bluffs.

The general manager at Ameristar says the Cornhuskers get a lot of action but that much of their regular traffic — 50 percent of bettors — have Nebraska zip codes.

Right now, the best Nebraska offers in the gambling category is horse racing, keno and a state lottery. There are four casinos, all associated with Native American tribes, that have Class II gaming machines which offer bingo and entertainment-purposes-only spinning video reels. No slots. No poker machines.

A few years ago, gambling expansion to racetracks was rejected. Last session, fantasy sports couldn’t get through the legislature.

The Action Network, which analyzes and tracks sports betting progress in the U.S. has Nebraska in the “not in sight” category and suggesting possible voter referendum is the only hope.

Is sports betting currently legal in the state?

No. And residents shouldn’t hold their breath.