Nebraska voters have declined to legalize online sports betting, rejecting both Initiative 440 and Initiative 441 in the November 3, 2026 Mid-Term elections. The paired measures – a constitutional amendment and a companion statutory measure – would have authorized mobile and online sports wagering statewide and empowered the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission to regulate operators. The outcome preserves the state’s existing framework, in which casino gaming is permitted at licensed racetrack facilities but digital sports wagering remains prohibited.
The Results
Early returns showed consistent opposition to both measures. As of midnight following the election, Initiative 440 had drawn 239,331 votes in favor and 285,520 against, while Initiative 441 stood at 241,599 votes in favor and 283,159 against. Initiative 440 would have amended the Nebraska Constitution to allow the Legislature to enact laws governing online sports wagering; Initiative 441 would have formally authorized the practice and tasked the state gaming commission with adopting rules for operators and wagers.
Under the proposed framework, a majority of tax proceeds – reported at 70 percent – would have been directed toward property tax relief, a central argument of the support campaign. Supporters estimated the measures could have generated more than $166 million in designated relief over time, though opponents characterized the projected benefit as a negligible fraction of the state’s overall property tax burden.
A Heavily Funded Campaign Falls Short
The campaign in support of the measures, organized under the committee Tax Relief Nebraska, was financed substantially by national sportsbook operators. DraftKings and FanDuel each contributed approximately $10.4 million, with additional backing from BetMGM and Fanatics, bringing the committee’s total fundraising to roughly $14.65 million.
Opposition, while outspent, proved effective. Save Nebraska Sports registered as the primary opposing campaign, and it was joined by organizations including the Nebraska Family Alliance and the Nebraska Catholic Conference, which urged voters to reject the measures on the grounds that online wagering would expand problem gambling and increase accessibility, particularly among younger residents. Notably, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska voiced support for the initiatives, illustrating that the debate did not divide cleanly along predictable lines.
