Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Nebraska?
If you’re asking “is online sports betting Nebraska legal right now?” the answer is no. Nebraska legalized retail sports betting in 2021, but only in-person at racetrack casinos. Online sports betting online, through apps or websites, is still not available. That makes Nebraska an outlier compared to many sports gambling legal states. Players can bet at select racinos, but anyone hoping for NFL betting from their couch still has to wait. Lawmakers are pushing to expand, but mobile betting won’t be on the table until at least 2026.
Online Sports Betting Nebraska: Current Status
Nebraska passed LB 561 in May 2021, which legalized in-person sports betting at racetrack casinos, also known as racinos. The first retail sportsbooks opened in June 2023.
Right now, you can place bets in person at:
- WarHorse Casino in Lincoln
- WarHorse Casino in Omaha
- Grand Island Casino Resort
- Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Columbus
There are no licensed online sports betting apps in Nebraska.
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Is Sports Betting Legal Online in Nebraska?
No. Sports betting legal online is not yet available in Nebraska. You cannot legally place bets through DraftKings, FanDuel, or other major apps within state lines.
This puts Nebraska behind many neighboring states. Iowa, for example, has had fully mobile online sports betting apps since 2019. That difference means plenty of Nebraska bettors drive across the river to place NFL betting wagers.
Why Online Sports Betting Legalization Is Delayed
The restriction comes down to state lawmakers. When sports betting became legal in 2021, online betting was specifically excluded from the law. Supporters argued this would protect racinos and keep tax dollars tied to physical venues.
Now, momentum is building to change that. In 2025, lawmakers advanced LR 20CA, a proposal to put online sports betting on the ballot in November 2026. If approved, up to six online sportsbooks could launch, all tied to racetrack casinos.
Online Sports Betting Apps: Not Yet in Nebraska
For now, Nebraska players won’t find apps like Caesars, BetMGM, or DraftKings inside the state.
Example: A Cornhuskers fan in Lincoln might want to bet $20 on Nebraska to cover the spread against Iowa. To do that legally, they’d need to drive to WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, stand in line, and place the wager at the counter or kiosk. If Nebraska had online sports betting apps, that same bet could be made in seconds on a phone.
This difference shows why players and lawmakers are pushing for expansion.
Online Sports Betting How To (If Legalized)
If online betting becomes law in 2026, here’s how it will likely work:
- Download a licensed sportsbook app like DraftKings, FanDuel, or Caesars.
- Create an account and verify you’re 21 or older.
- Deposit money via debit card, PayPal, or online banking.
- Browse betting markets—NFL betting, NBA spreads, MLB totals, and college football odds.
- Choose your bet type: moneyline, spread, prop, or parlay.
- Confirm and place your wager.
That’s the same process already live in dozens of other sports gambling legal states.
What You Can Bet On in Nebraska Right Now
Even without online sports betting legal access, Nebraska racinos offer a full betting menu. You can place bets on:
- NFL betting, NBA spreads, MLB totals, and NHL props.
- College sports, including Cornhuskers football and Creighton basketball.
- Futures, parlays, and live betting, but only in person.
High school sports are prohibited.
Nebraska Compared to Other Sports Gambling Legal States
Nebraska is behind the curve when compared to other states.
- Iowa: Fully online since 2019, with more than a dozen apps live.
- Kansas: Online and retail betting launched in 2022.
- Colorado: Mobile-friendly since 2020, one of the most open markets in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Nebraska limits betting to just four racinos. Without online betting, the state loses revenue to neighbors and offshore operators.
Retail Sports Betting Revenue
Even without online betting, Nebraska’s retail sportsbooks are seeing action. The state handled around $75 million in bets in 2024, mostly from NFL betting and college football season.
Still, that number is small compared to fully mobile markets. For example, Iowa’s handle regularly tops $200 million per month. Nebraska’s lawmakers know they’re leaving money on the table without online sports betting apps.
Online Sports Betting Example: Cornhuskers vs. Hawkeyes
Picture this: Nebraska is playing Iowa in the annual rivalry game. A fan in Omaha wants to place a $50 parlay on the Huskers to win outright, the over on total points, and a player prop for the starting running back to score a touchdown.
Right now, that fan has to drive to WarHorse Casino in Omaha to make the bet in person. In sports gambling legal states like Iowa, the same bet could be made instantly on a phone at home.
The Future of Online Sports Betting Nebraska
The next big step is the 2026 ballot initiative. If voters approve it, Nebraska will move from retail-only to fully mobile betting, joining the ranks of sports betting legal online states.
That would mean:
- Access to national sportsbook apps.
- Greater convenience for players.
- More tax revenue for the state.
Until then, Nebraska bettors will have to settle for in-person bets at racinos or cross into Iowa and Kansas for mobile wagers.
Final Thoughts on Online Sports Betting Nebraska
Online sports betting Nebraska is not legal yet, but in-person betting is live at four racetrack casinos. Lawmakers are pushing to expand access, with a ballot initiative set for 2026.
Until then, Nebraska remains behind neighboring states that already offer sports betting legal online. With NFL betting and college football fueling demand, it seems only a matter of time before Nebraska joins the online sports betting USA map.
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