DraftKings, FanDuel Boost Nebraska Sports Betting Campaign

Key Highlights

A legal Nebraska sports betting campaign has received a significant boost from two of the biggest sportsbooks in the United States.

Sportsbook Spending Rises Before November Vote

DraftKings and FanDuel have each contributed an additional $3.5 million to Tax Relief Nebraska (TRN), adding $7 million to the campaign. Nebraska is one of 18 states without legal online sports betting, but residents will have a chance to change that when they go to the polls on Nov. 3. With the latest contributions, total fundraising for the legalization effort has exceeded $14.5 million.

DraftKings and FanDuel are the campaign’s biggest financial backers, but other companies have also contributed. BetMGM added another $250,000 during the latest reporting period, bringing its total support to $500,000. Fanatics has contributed $75,000 as the sports betting industry increases spending during the final weeks before voters decide the issue.

Nebraska currently allows retail sports betting at licensed gaming facilities, while online wagering is prohibited. The latest spending highlights how important the ballot measures are to operators seeking access to a legal mobile betting market in the state, especially considering both DraftKings and FanDuel already offer sports event contract trading in Nebraska through their prediction market platforms. Previously, TRN collected more than 350,000 signatures for sports betting legalization in Nebraska.

Nebraska Voters Face Two Online Betting Measures

Nebraska voters will consider two related measures on Nov. 3 after the Secretary of State certified both petitions in August. Initiative Measure 440 would amend the state constitution and allow lawmakers to authorize Nebraska online betting for people physically located in the state. A companion proposal would set rules for how the market operates.

Initiative Measure 441 would allow an authorised gaming operator to partner with no more than two online sports betting platforms. It would also require platform servers to be located in Nebraska. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would be responsible for creating regulations governing mobile wagering.

Restrictions involving Nebraska college sports would continue under the proposal. Bettors will not be able to wager on state college teams while they play in-state, while college player prop bets would also be restricted. Those provisions would keep some existing protections in place even if voters approve the move to online sports betting.

Property Tax Relief Drives Campaign Pitch

Supporters have made property tax relief a central part of their argument for legalization. Tax Relief Nebraska projects that online sports betting could produce $86.9 million in tax revenue during its first five years. Of that amount, approximately $60.9 million could go toward property tax relief under the state’s existing gaming tax structure.

Opponents have focused on the responsible gambling risks associated with easier access to online wagering. They argue that mobile betting could increase the likelihood of problem gambling by making sportsbooks available from phones and other connected devices. The Nebraska Family Alliance has expressed its concerns and is leading the campaign against the bills, but they have not reported financial contributions.

Meanwhile, DraftKings and FanDuel’s latest funding gives supporters additional resources before Election Day, when Nebraska voters will decide whether the state keeps sports betting limited to retail locations or opens the door to a regulated online market. Tax Relief Nebraska has already spent more than $9 million in campaign funds, including about $1.7 million for advertising.