Senator Blood introduced bill to legalize online sports gambling

Lincoln, NEB — On Friday the senators convened on the State Capitol once again as the special session continues this Summer.. The impetus of the session to resolve property tax issues plaguing the state. While many bills have been proposed with that in mind, one senator introduced a bill that would accomplish that and allow adults the freedom to govern their wallets when it comes to sports wagering.

Introduced by Senator Carol Blood (District 03), LB-28 would legalize online sports gambling and allow the state to direct the taxes toward the property issue.

“You can’t keep controlling moraliy. We’re very willing to do ‘sin taxes’ when we don’t agree that people should drink or smoke,” Blood said. “Here’s an opportunity for us to be forward thinking and to relieve the property tax burden, how great is that?”

Nebraska is one of 20 states that has not legalized online sports wagering to this point. For reference, neighboring Kansas has surpassed more than $4 billion dollars in wagers since sports betting began in 2022. This comes just a week after the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission approved the move fro the Hastings Racing Exposition to move their license to Ogallala with plans to build a race track and casino. Retail gambling does permit sports gambling, however, only within the geographic fencing of the property.

“We know that many people are already playing fantasy sports, and they’re doing it with VPN’s,” Blood went on. “Because if you want to do what you want to do, you’re going to do it. Why not tax it?”

Senator Blood’s bill is one of two bills introduced during this special session. Senator Eliot Bostar (District 29) proposed LB-13 earlier in the session, however, that would require voter approval in the November election because it is a constitutional amendment.