Over or under: Mobile sports gambling petition looks to gain momentum
Sports betting is allowed at casinos in Nebraska but not on your phone, like it is in 38 other states.
By News Channel NebraskaNORFOLK, Neb - Sports betting is allowed at casinos in Nebraska but not on your phone, like it is in 38 other states. Director of Government Relations for WarHorse Casino Lynne McNally says the state is losing around $30 million in tax revenue by Nebraskans crossing the Missouri River and pulling off in a cornfield. She’s plans to change that with a petition.
“Iowa is getting all of the tax money for the wagers being placed by Nebraskans. We would like to stop that, we would like to keep the money in Nebraska, again, and give the tax money back to the property tax relief fund,” said McNally.
A group of Nebraska lawmakers tried to pass a bill last year that would’ve allowed mobile sports betting, but the effort stalled after a filibuster. A study from the University of California San Diego found that online searches for gambling addiction like “am I addicted to gambling” have jumped 23% since 2018.
Executive Director for the Nebraska Council On Problem Gambling Mike Sciandra says he’s concerned about the potential risks associated with mobile sports gambling.
“The finical numbers and the finical gain are something I don’t really get too caught up in because it's more about the harm it could create for others through that activity,” said Sciandra.
McNally disagrees, saying that illegal betting already happens online through VPNs and that opposing legal mobile sports gambling would be denying trustworthy businesses from entering Nebraska.
“You’re authorizing reputable companies to do business in the state and they have a vested interest in making sure that no one underage is playing these games. They’ll be licensed through the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission, they can get their license taken away if they violate that,” said McNally.
According to Nebraska law, the petition needs signatures from 10% of registered voters, including signatures from 5% of qualified voters in 39 of the state’s 93 counties, in order to get on the November ballot.
McNally says you can sign the petition at major sporting events and at their casino locations.