Lawmakers in Nebraska Propose Legislation to Legalize Sports Wagering
In Nebraska, the picture on sports betting is a bit murky, despite voters approving gaming expansion in 2020. The referendum didn't explicitly include sports betting in the "games of chance" legalization, leaving room for doubt.
This uncertainty prompted various bills filed this week to clarify sports betting's legality. Two of these bills, LB 560 and LB 545, approach the issue differently.
LB 560, proposed by Sen. Tom Briese, considers sports betting as a "game of chance." The bill outlines a $1 million licensing fee for sportsbooks, a 21-year-old minimum age, and a ban on certain college prop bets. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would oversee sports betting if this bill is passed.
On the other hand, LB 545, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, defines "games of skill" and legalizes them, including sports betting. This bill imposes a $10,000 application fee and a 25% tax on gross gaming receipts. Notably, it allows local entities to levy additional taxes. LB 545 earmarks sports betting revenue for a School Property Tax Reduction Fund.
As for the tribes, they aren't explicitly mentioned in any of the current legislation. However, if anything passes, the tribes operating casinos in Nebraska could offer legal sports wagering, potentially free from the rules, fees, or taxes instituted by the new Racing and Gaming Commission. Other states' tribes, like those in Colorado, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oregon, already operate sportsbooks independently of state regulators.
Nebraska is almost encircled by states where sports betting is legal, such as Iowa and South Dakota. Although Missouri lawmakers have yet to pass sports betting legislation, they have filed three bills this session.
It's essential to note that while Nebraska has some sports betting availability at licensed horse racetracks, online sports betting remains limited. Previous efforts to expand sports betting to online options have temporarily stalled, with concerns over problem gambling and social issues halting progress. Despite these roadblocks, proponents continue to advocate for online sports betting, citing potential tax revenue and reduction of the illegal market. As of now, there's no specific information about bills LB 560 and LB 545 in the search results.
In both LB 560 and LB 545, a $1 million licensing fee is proposed for sportsbooks in Nebraska, demonstrating the inclusion of sports betting in the political discourse for sports-betting legalization. LB 560 classifies sports betting as a "game of chance," while LB 545 defines and legalizes "games of skill," including sports betting. Despite the tribes not being explicitly mentioned in the current legislation, they could potentially offer legal sports wagering independently of state regulators, similar to tribes in Colorado, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Oregon.
