The race to bring legal mobile sports wagering to Nebraska has hit a procedural speed bump. Nearly a month after the initial paperwork was filed on January 9, 2026, two pivotal ballot petitions remain stalled in the Secretary of State’s office, awaiting final clearance for signature gathering.
Refining the Legal Framework
The delay appears to stem from ongoing adjustments to the petition language. A spokesperson for the Nebraska Secretary of State confirmed that a second draft was received as recently as Wednesday, February 4, 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by the Sports Betting Alliance, seeks to bypass a hesitant Legislature and take the issue directly to voters.
The strategy involves two distinct filings:
- Constitutional Amendment: Titled “Allow Online Sports Wagering for Property Tax Relief”.
- Statute Change: Titled “Property Tax Credit Fund Increase from Online Sports Wagering”.
Market Structure and Property Tax Relief
WarHorse CEO Lance Morgan revealed that the proposed market would be tethered to the state’s racetrack casinos, with a hard cap of two digital platforms per operator. With WarHorse planning three facilities, this could support six digital partnerships, including current relationships with industry giants like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM.
The primary selling point for voters is the tax structure. Lynne McNally, WarHorse’s government relations director, stated the measure proposes a 20% tax rate, with 70% of revenue dedicated to property tax relief. “Little things matter,” Morgan noted, emphasizing the need for precise language before circulation begins.
The Sign-Off Challenge
Organizers face a tight deadline and rigorous requirements. To reach the 2026 ballot, the constitutional petition requires approximately 125,000 valid signatures, while the statute petition needs 88,000.
Supporters point to GeoComply data showing 4.5 million blocked attempts to access out-of-state sportsbooks from within Nebraska as proof that the demand for a regulated sports wagering landscape is already present and waiting to be legalized.
