Nebraska Senators Green-Lit Casino and Sports Betting Regulation

Nebraska lawmakers have tweaked and given the initial approval to a measure that would regulate the state’s sports betting market.

The said bill would also govern the legalized casinos in Nebraska when they open.

An Exception

It would enable sports fans in this mid-Western state in the USA to legally bet on almost all professional and collegiate sport events.

The exception would be Nebraska Cornhuskers’ home games and Creighton University Bluejays.

The compromise, according to Senator Steve Lathorp, is part of the legislative “sausage making” that was necessary so that the broader bill can . This bill is vital as it defines regulations for casinos which will be opened after last year voters made the industry legal.

Lathorp stated that even though some may not like it, the bill needs to get across the finish line.

Opposed by Many

He generally refereed to certain lawmakers who said they are not comfortable with permitting bets on collegiate teams because it may put too much pressure on student athletes.

Others argue that Nebraska fans already bet on collegiate teams and that the change “does not make sense.”

Senator Tom Brands said himself that “We can bet on the Iowa Hawkeyes, but we can’t bet on the Huskers,” while Senator Adam Morfeld added that everyone is pretending like that isn’t happening and called the measure a puritanical nonsense and completely illogical, saying that the bill will encourage Nebraskans to place their bets in Iowa where this wagering is legal.

According to the new measure, casinos’ keno would need to operate under the same rules as other venues where it is offered.

The amendment was added on a 31-4 vote and the lawmakers need to vote on the bill once more before it heads to Governor Pete Ricketts who said he would respect the will of voters even though he opposed the casino measure.

Instant Games Contract

IGT has signed, in November last year, a seven-year contract with Nebraska Lottery to be a vendor for instant and draw-based games.

IGT was selected as the preferred operator partner despite the competitive procurement process.

The contract will expire on June 30, 2028 and may be extended for two years on three occasions.

Source:

“Senators OK sports betting, but not on Husker home games”, apnews.com, May 13, 2021.