- Former Nebraska head football coach Tom Osborne joined 45 current and former Cornhuskers in opposition to Nebraska online sports betting measures.
- If both ballot measures pass, each racetrack casino could offer mobile betting with up to two online sportsbooks.
- The ballot measures prohibit bets on in-state college teams playing in Nebraska and implement a 20% tax rate, in line with Nebraska casino gambling.
OMAHA, Neb. – Legendary Nebraska Cornhuskers head football coach Tom Osborne joined the fight against online sports betting in the state. Coach Osborne has vocally opposed online gambling in Nebraska and now joins Save Nebraska Sports less than two weeks away from the Nov. 3 election.
“Nebraskans support, embrace, and protect our athletes. Legalizing online sports gambling does none of those things,” he told Save Nebraska Sports.
Who’s On Each Side Of Nebraska Mobile Betting Initiative
Osborne stands alongside Save Nebraska Sports, a coalition against Nebraska sports betting due to athlete harassment concerns, youth gambling, false tax promises, problem gambling, and 24/7 mobile gambling accessibility. Osborne is one of 45 former and current athletes or Cornhusker coaches against online betting, including Nebraska athletes from baseball, football, softball, wrestling, track & field, golf, tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, and more.
On the other side, DraftKings, FanDuel, Fanatics, and BetMGM are the biggest operators funding the initiative, including a $70,000 contribution to Governor Jim Pillen. Pillen’s support of online sports betting in the 2025 session due to tax benefits put him at odds with his former coach in Osborne.
What A Yes Vote Would Change For Nebraska Bettors
As it currently stands, sports betting in Nebraska can be done in person at any of the state’s five racinos. If both ballot measures 440 and 441 pass, those racinos could partner with two online sportsbooks.
Those sportsbooks will have college betting restrictions for college player props, live betting college games that involve a Nebraska team, and all bets on in-state teams playing physically in Nebraska. Nebraska voters will decide on Nov. 3.
