Nebraska's proposed constitutional amendment to legalize online sports betting will not appear on the 2026 ballot after State Sen. Eliot Bostar withdrew the measure Wednesday when it became clear he lacked sufficient support to overcome a filibuster.
Legislative Resolution 20CA would have allowed Nebraska voters to decide whether to legalize mobile sports wagering, but opponents successfully blocked the measure. While Bostar claimed to have 32 supporters, he needed 33 votes to break the filibuster in Nebraska's unicameral legislature.
"I think it is responsible to move on with the agenda and move on to other things," Bostar told reporters after pulling the proposal. "The votes changed back and forth throughout this entire process. It's a very dynamic and fluid situation."
The measure has been left on "select file," meaning lawmakers could resume debate on it during next year's legislative session.
Opponents, led by State Sen. Brad von Gillern of Elkhorn, cited concerns about addiction and social harms, particularly among young men.
"I can attest that many men in their 20s do not have the wisdom to abstain from things that are harmful to themselves," von Gillern said during the debate.
Supporters argued the state was missing out on approximately $32 million in annual tax revenue, with Nebraskans already betting through offshore sites or traveling to any of the six neighboring states where mobile sports betting is legal.
Industry observers expect sportsbook operators may now pursue a citizen-led ballot initiative, which would require signatures from approximately 125,000 registered voters (10% of the state's registered voters) to qualify for the November 2026 ballot.
Nebraska remains one of eight states with legal retail sports betting but no mobile wagering option. The state currently allows casino-style gambling, including in-person sports betting, at its six "racinos" (racetrack casinos) following voter approval in 2020.
If a citizen-led initiative were to succeed, Nebraska could potentially launch mobile sports betting by fall 2027, assuming typical implementation timelines seen in other states.