The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission on Friday afternoon unanimously approved a revised set of retail sports betting regulations, paving the way for live betting in the state — though it’s unclear when the first bets could be taken. The approval came nearly two years after Nebraska voters legalized “games of chance,” which ultimately included wagering at brick-and-mortar facilities.
At this time last year, Nebraska had no legal gaming in the state, but when the War Horse Casino – Lincoln opened earlier this fall, it became the state’s first legal gaming facility. The location in Lincoln currently has only slot machines, but will ultimately offer some table games.
Gaming at Lincoln Race Course will be operated by Ho-Chunk, Inc., the economic development corporation of Nebraska’s Winnebago Tribe. Ho-Chunk is in the process of getting casinos up and running at Horsemen’s Park in Omaha and Atokad Downs in South Sioux City. Racetracks in Columbus, Grand Island, and Hastings will also be able to apply for gaming licenses under the new law.
The question of when sports wagering could go live is an open one, according to NRGC Director Tom Sage. The approved rules still have to wind their way through three administrative offices before they can go into effect, and there’s no concrete timeline associated with two of those stops.
The regulations have been sent to the Attorney General’s Office for review. If approved, the next stop is Gov. Pete Ricketts’ office, and if the governor signs off on them, the regulations go to the Secretary of State. After five days with the SOS, rules would go into effect.
“We really can’t do anything until there are rules and regulations in place,” Sage said.
What wagering will look like
The facilities in Columbus, Grand Island, Lincoln, and Omaha have already applied for “authorized gaming licenses,” but even as those locations open for gaming, they, like the NRGC, will be waiting for the regulations to become effective before they can offer wagering.
Latest state timelines for online sports betting launch:
Maryland – Nov 21-Dec 5
Massachusetts – Feb or March
Ohio – Jan 1
Maine – Late 2023
Nebraska – 2024— Sam McQuillan (@sam_mcquill) October 19, 2022
Sports betting in Nebraska will be retail only, and customers will be able to place bets at kiosks or at teller windows. Sage said the rules were modeled after those in Colorado and Wyoming, both of which offer extensive bet menus, so it’s likely Nebraskans will have much to choose from — though they won’t be able to bet on Nebraska football, as lawmakers have banned betting on local college teams.
Nebraska is one of three states with Big Ten schools to have banned betting on the home team. Wagering on local college teams is also illegal in Illinois and New Jersey.
It’s unclear which operators will make a play to get into Nebraska, although representatives from both Caesars Sportsbook and FanDuel offered public comment on the wagering rules.
