Nebraska lawmakers and gaming industry stakeholders gathered this week in the Lincoln capital to discuss the pros and cons of expanding sports betting to the internet. It quickly became apparent that the issue remains polarizing.

The Nebraska Legislature is amid a special session called by Gov. Jim Pillen (R) to find ways to ease property tax burdens on homeowners. State Sens. Eliot Bostar (D-Lincoln) and Terrell McKinney (D-North Omaha) think allowing online sports betting is one viable solution.

Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue, which instead goes to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, and Wyoming,” Bostar said before the General Affairs Committee on Wednesday. “Legalizing online mobile sports betting … could significantly boost state revenues dedicated to the property tax credit fund.”

Currently, sports betting is only allowed in person at one of the state’s commercial casinos.

Pros and Cons 

Pillen has recently become supportive of mobile sports gambling. For online sportsbooks to come to the Cornhusker State, Nebraskans would need to amend their state constitution to allow such gambling through a statewide ballot referendum.