As of January 2025, 38 states, including Washington D.C., have some form of legal sports betting. Residents in these markets can bet on anything from professional football to college baseball and even tennis. Recently, Nebraska Senator Tom Brandt introduced Legislative Bill 63. In this measure, Brandt seeks to allow pre-match and live wagering on in-state college sporting events. His bill is co-sponsored by Senators Danielle Conrad and Stan Clouse.
This legislation would amend the Nebraska Racetrack and Gaming Act and propose an expansion of the state’s regulated sports betting market. As it stands in the Cornhusker State, only retail wagering at licensed casinos is legal. Former Governor Pete Ricketts worked tirelessly to have sports betting legalized in Nebraska in 2023. Additionally, retail sports betting is limited to physical locations. Online sports betting is still prohibited in Nebraska.
Legislative Bill 63 wants to capitalize on the state’s rich tradition in college athletics. They plan to do this by incorporating opportunities for local sports fans. The state is home to several big-time college programs like the University of Nebraska, Creighton University, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha. These locations continuously draw fan engagement through marquee events. Making Nebraksa a hot spot for betting on collegiate games and players.
Bill 63 faces an uphill battle in Nebraska
This is not the first time that legislative Bill 63 has faced challenges trying to be legalized. In August 2023, a special legislative session was held. During that meeting, there were discussions of introducing online sports betting through licensed casinos. At the time, Senator Elliot Bostar was introducing LR3CA. This was an amendment to the state’s gaming act. However, Bostar’s proposal failed to gain traction and faced significant opposition from other lawmakers.
Not too long after that, a group of 13 Nebraska Senators voiced their resistance to online wagering. During a 17-day session in 2023, the amendments did not reach the Senate floor for discussion. Failure to advance LR3CA proved just how complex sports betting legislation is in the Cornhusker State. There are still concerns about regulation, market expansion, and public impact if online sports betting is introduced through licensed casinos.
Nebraska is not the only state concerned with wagering on collegiate sports
The expansion of betting on collegiate sports has sparked concern in Nebraska. Player safety and the integrity of competitions are at the top of the list. In America, several states have introduced laws that restrict residents from wagering on collegiate sports. For example, New Jersey banned wagering in in-state collegiate teams or any event held in the state. They introduced this law when sports betting was first legalized. The Garden State is also trying to ban betting on collegiate player props. Virginia is another state that doesn’t allow its residents to bet on in-state teams. In Illinois, residents are prohibited from betting on collegiate player props.
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