Campaigners advocating for the legalization of online sports betting in Nebraska argue that the state is missing out on a significant $32 million in annual tax revenue.
Senator Eliot Bostar emphasized this point during a debate regarding four sports betting bills in front of the state legislature’s general affairs committee. Sen. Bostar introduced LR20CA, a proposed constitutional amendment that would offer voters the opportunity to approve online wagering.
Currently, sports betting is limited to racinos at the six racetracks in the Cornhusker State. The proposed amendment would allow these establishments to collaborate with digital betting operators.
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During the hearing, Sen. Bostar highlighted, “Nebraska is currently missing out on a $1.6 billion state online industry and $32 million in annual tax revenue, which is instead flowing to neighboring states like Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas.”
While several states have already legalized online sports betting, Nebraska could be next in line. Residents have shown a willingness to cross state borders to place bets, with hundreds of thousands of wagers being recorded in an Iowa cornfield just across the border by Nebraska residents, as per GeoComply.
Sen. Bostar stated, “People are already participating in this. Not passing this won’t stop that. I believe we should utilize the revenue for public purposes.”
Despite the push for legalization and evidence of public support, strong opposition to online wagering remains in the state. Proponents submitted three proposals to the committee, while opponents submitted 51.
Concerns about using online gambling revenue to reduce property taxes were dismissed by anti-legalization advocates. Furthermore, worries about an increase in teenage gambling if sports betting is legalized were expressed. Nate Grasz, executive director of the Nebraska Family Alliance, cautioned, “The house always wins. For the house to win, the people of Nebraska and our own children have to lose.”
The committee deliberated on three other bills related to state gambling laws, including one that suggested lifting the restriction on betting on college games involving the Nebraska Cornhuskers when they play at home.
While no immediate action was taken on the proposals, Sen. Bostar estimated their chances of progressing as “six out of ten.”
The post originally appeared on Esports Insider.