Key Takeaways

  • Nebraska voters rejected Initiatives 440 and 441, which would have allowed and regulated online sports betting.
  • Both measures received opposition from approximately 54–55% of voters in the November 3 election.
  • DraftKings and FanDuel each contributed around $10.4 million to the campaign supporting the proposals.
  • Supporters had argued that online betting could generate additional tax revenue for Nebraska property tax relief.

Nebraska voters have rejected two ballot measures that would have allowed online sports betting across the state, despite a campaign that received millions of dollars from major sportsbook operators. Initiatives 440 and 441 both failed in the November 3 general election, with more than half of participating voters opposing each proposal.

The result comes after DraftKings and FanDuel reportedly contributed around $10.4 million each to Tax Relief Nebraska, the group supporting the measures. The proposals would have allowed residents to place sports wagers through mobile platforms connected to licensed racetrack casinos and introduced a framework for regulating those bets. Their rejection leaves Nebraska’s existing restrictions on sports wagering in place, with bets continuing to be limited to in-person activity at licensed racetrack casinos.

Nebraska Voters Reject Two Measures To Legalize Online Sports Betting

According to the Nebraska Secretary of State’s election results, Initiative 440 proposed a constitutional amendment that would authorize laws allowing online sports wagering. Initiative 441 was the accompanying statutory measure, which would have established rules for operators and given the Nebraska Gaming Commission authority to regulate online betting. The updated election results showed that Initiative 440 received approximately 45.1% support, while 54.9% voted against it. Initiative 441 received around 45.5% support, compared with 54.5% opposition. The results were reported with all precincts accounted for, although the state listed them as unofficial.

Currently, Nebraska permits sports wagering at its five licensed racetrack casinos, where customers must place bets in person. Mobile betting remains unavailable under existing state law. Before the election, supporters argued that the restrictions were sending potential betting activity to neighboring states, including Iowa, where online sports wagering is already permitted. They also said allowing mobile betting within Nebraska could bring additional tax revenue into the state.

The proposals were supported by Tax Relief Nebraska, which collected more than 201,000 signatures for Initiative 440 and approximately 146,000 for Initiative 441 to secure their place on the ballot. According to Nebraska Public Media’s explanation of the measures, supporters proposed directing 70% of the tax revenue generated by online wagering toward property tax relief, following the existing arrangement for casino gaming revenue.

DraftKings and FanDuel Put Millions Behind the Online Betting Measures

DraftKings and FanDuel were among the biggest financial backers of the campaign supporting the two initiatives. Each company contributed approximately $10.4 million to Tax Relief Nebraska, taking the group’s total fundraising to nearly $22.5 million. The spending made the proposals one of Nebraska’s most expensive ballot campaigns during the 2026 election cycle. 

Both faced opposition from groups including Save Nebraska Sports and Gambling with the Good Life. The latter raised concerns about allowing sports betting through mobile apps, rather than limiting wagers to in-person locations. Its executive director, Pat Loontjer, said the group was pleased with the result. Supporters had argued that legalizing mobile betting would allow Nebraska to collect tax revenue from wagers that might otherwise go to operators in other states or offshore platforms. The proposals also included plans to direct part of the tax revenue towards property tax relief. Voters ultimately rejected both measures, so those plans will not move forward under the current proposals. Any future attempt to legalize online sports betting in Nebraska would need to go through a separate legislative or ballot process.