Best Betting Sites in Nebraska — No Legal Online Sportsbooks
Although land-based sports betting was authorized in 2020, there are no legal Nebraska sports betting options available at the moment. In the absence of the best betting sites in Nebraska to recommend, we have instead dedicated this guide to discussing the current laws, future outlook of the industry, and other legal betting options.
Legal Betting Options for Nebraska Residents
Nebraskan bettors can enjoy pari-mutuel wagering at horse racing tracks, the lottery and daily fantasy sports drafting. There are also five tribal casinos that offer slots, though table games are yet to launch. There are no Nebraska betting sites or online casinos in the pipeline for the time being.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Nebraska
Daily fantasy sports (DFS) are a popular form of wagering that asks contestants to draft lineups of players from sports leagues such as the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. Players earn points based on the real life performances of players during the competition period, and top-scoring players earn cash prizes.
Many states have defined DFS as a game of skill and therefore, not technically gambling. For the time being, Nebraska has not addressed DFS in its gambling laws. That said, Nebraska does not penalize locals who sign up.
Sites such as DraftKings, which are licensed in other states, provide a DFS Nebraska sports betting app and are likely to provide the best betting sites Nebraska offers if and when online sportsbooks are legalized.
Offshore Betting Sites — Don’t Get Scammed!
Without any regulated Nebraska online sports betting sites to sign up to, you may be tempted to sign up to offshore betting sites such as Bovada, MyBookie, or BetOnline. While we want to point out that these sites aren’t illegal to join, they also aren’t legal too. We recommend against joining these sites.
Without a license earned from a US regulator, there is no way to guarantee that the odds will be fair, that the website will be secure, or that responsible gambling measures are in place. If the sites refuse to pay out your winnings, you will also have no legal protection. This makes them untrustworthy.
Land-Based Casino Gambling
There are five tribal casinos in NE and no commercial casinos. However, a recent gambling expansion law has allowed for the state’s racetracks to build racino-style gambling facilities. Of the tribal casinos, two are operated by the Winnebago Tribe, one is operated by the Omaha Tribe, and the other is operated by the Santee Sioux Tribe.
In 2020, voters approved a measure to allow expanded casino gaming such as slots, table games, and sports betting at NE’s horse racing tracks. Currently, gamblers can only play slots at the tribal casinos. It is unclear whether the tribal casinos will be allowed to host table games too. Online casino gambling and poker is still prohibited.
Racetrack Betting
Pari-mutuel wagering is permitted at Nebraska’s six horse racing tracks. There are no off-track betting facilities currently in operation, and locals are unable to sign up to the TVG online betting app. Dog racing and betting is illegal in the state, so users can only wager on thoroughbred and harness horse races.
Over the next few years, Nebraska’s racetracks are poised to become world-class gaming establishments. For example, the Columbus Racetrack is to be turned into a Harrah’s casino with a resort, table games, live entertainment, and more. It is likely that each of these revitalized sites will also host a Nebraska sportsbook.
Online Poker — Legality
Although poker games were recently legalized, there are currently no legal online or land-based poker options in Nebraska. However, once the state’s racetracks have completed their transitions into full-fledged casino resorts, you can expect to enjoy single-cash games and tournaments in elegant card room settings.
Nearby States with Legal Sports Betting
If there are some upcoming major sporting events that you will like to legally wager on, it is legal to visit states with legal sports betting markets to place bets. Fortunately, Nebraska is bordered by three states that have legalized sports betting, with Wyoming, Iowa, and Colorado having mobile wagering.
This means that if you live nearby, you can cross the border to create an account and make your bets. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to enjoy Nebraska online sports betting once you’ve crossed back to NE, as these apps will use geo-blocking technology to restrict outside-state access.
Here is a list of the closest states with legal sports betting:
Best Betting Sites in Nebraska — The Situation Might Change
When sports betting is legal, players can expect to wager on the Big Four sports leagues, including the NFL and NBA. You will also be able to wager on major events such as the Super Bowl and Olympics at the best betting sites in Nebraska.
This means that you’ll have to go to Iowa or Colorado to bet on the Cornhuskers, no matter whether or not online betting is legalized and the best betting sites in Nebraska launch. What would be a huge bonus is that all of these options would be legal and regulated by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission.
It’s the responsibility of regulators to ensure that operators offer fair odds and verify the age of all players to prevent minors from gambling. A portion of revenues will also be earmarked to fund problem gambling support, with taxes on revenues funding social welfare programs. This is why licensed Nebraska betting sites would be the best way to gamble.
Nebraska Gambling Law
| Betting Type | Law |
|---|---|
| Sports Betting | Soon to Launch |
| Online Sports Betting | Not Legal |
| Land-based Casino | Legal |
| Online Casino | Not Legal |
| Poker | Soon to Launch |
| Racetrack Betting | Legal |
| Nebraska Gambling Age | 21+ for Casino and Sports Betting, 19+ for Lotto, 18+ for Horse Racing & DFS |
Nebraska’s gambling laws and classifications are listed in statute 28-1101 in the state criminal code. Here, gambling is defined as a bet of something valuable “upon the outcome of a future event, which outcome is determined by an element of chance.” The statute mentions unapproved gambling activities as a violation of this act.
This is quite a standard definition of gambling across the USA. It is thanks to the inclusion of the “game of chance” caveat that activities such as DFS, which rely on skill, have been carved out as legal activities. The code also refers to other laws, such as the Nebraska Bingo Act and the State Lottery Act.
There are several legal gambling ages in NE depending on the activity. For example, players must be over 18 to wager on horse races and to create a DFS account. For lottery ticket sales, players must be over 19 years old, whereas tribal casino gambling requires a minimum age of 21. When launched, sports betting will have a 21 year minimum age.
In 2020, Nebraskan voters were asked to vote whether to amend the state constitution to allow laws that would authorize gambling at licensed racetracks. Locals approved of the measures, which would also establish a dedicated Gaming Commission to regulate and tax the activities. As this only related to racetrack betting, Nebraska betting sites were not approved.
As the table above shows, several activities have still yet to launch, and this will all depend on the completion of the racetrack upgrades. Most of the racetracks are undergoing major construction to accommodate thousands of feet of gaming space, poker rooms, and holiday resorts.
History of Gambling in the State
For most of its history, Nebraska has remained on the conservative side when it comes to gambling progress. The first law to address legalizing gambling came in 1934, when pari-mutuel wagers on horse races were approved at the state’s race tracks. In the 50s, charitable bingo was also approved.
In the 60s, the charitable gambling carve out was given to raffle tickets and the lottery. It wouldn’t be until 1992 that voters would approve to create a state lottery. In its 30 years of operation, the state has generated billions of dollars for social programs, with recent years seeing annual revenues around $200 million.
In the following year, several tribal groups established their first casinos. However, these were only limited to offering Class II gaming, which includes slot machines but excludes table games. As an owner of the Lincoln race track, the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska is set to benefit from the gambling expansion laws.
There will likely be no gambling websites in Nebraska for some time, as the state would need to pass another referendum to approve expanded gambling. With the tribal groups and racetrack interests showing limited support for these changes, time will tell whether Nebraska online sports betting will become a reality.
If you’d like to know more, check out our more general guide to online betting.
The Future of Sports Betting in NE
Fortunately, there’s only good news on the horizon when it comes to sports betting in Nebraska. We expect the retail sportsbooks to launch by the end of 2020 once the racino upgrades are complete. However, it seems unlikely that mobile betting will be a reality for several years if ever.
This could depend on how popular the current market is compared to those in legal sports betting states. Currently, Nebraskans spend roughly $500 million per year on sports bets in neighboring states. If the new market doesn’t lure these customers in, it risks losing more to Colorado and Iowa’s mobile betting platforms.
Rest assured, we’ll bring you the lowdown on the best betting sites Nebraska bettors can enjoy when they arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you looking for brief answers to your questions about Nebraska’s sports betting laws and the future of the industry? If so, keep reading. In the following section, we’ve provided some answers to the most common queries about the NE sports betting market, from the legality of online betting to a discussion on offshore betting.
⚖️ Are online gambling and sports betting legal in Nebraska?
No, all forms of online gambling are illegal in Nebraska. The only exception to this rule is DFS, which is technically considered to be a game of skill and not gambling. You will need to visit a tribal casino or race track to play slots or wager on horse races. By the end of 2022, retail sports betting and Class III gaming will be available.
🛡️ What is the legal gambling age in Nebraska?
There are several Nebraskan gambling laws that deal with the different authorized gaming activities, all of which outline the several minimum gambling ages. For DFS and horse race betting, players must be over 18. For the lottery, you must be over 19. Sports betting, when launched, and casino gambling has a minimum gambling age of 21.
🚨 Are offshore betting sites legal for US players?
While offshore betting sites are not technically illegal, they also have not been approved by any gaming regulators in the USA. This means that they have not been audited to ensure fair odds, fast payouts, strong security features, or responsible gambling practices. Therefore, these sites are not safe and should be avoided.
🔎 Can I play at another state’s legal online sportsbook if I am based in Nebraska?
The only way to enjoy sports betting platforms that are hosted in legal neighbor states is to travel before you bet. The betting apps available in border states like Colorado and Iowa have geo-blocking features that will prevent you from signing up or betting. It is also illegal to bet on these platforms in Nebraska state lines.