Each linked measures to legalize cell wagering via Nebraska’s racetrack casinos trailed in unofficial returns. A defeat would shut off a brand new marketplace for sportsbooks and exhibits that doubts about tax reduction can beat a closely funded marketing campaign.
Nebraska voters seem to have turned down on-line sports activities betting. Initiatives 440 and 441 would have amended the state structure and statutes to permit cell wagering via the state’s licensed racetrack casinos. The Secretary of State’s unofficial depend, with 885 of 1,322 precincts absolutely reporting, had 440 trailing by about 296,000 to 354,000. The companion measure, 441, trailed by about 299,000 to 351,000. The outcomes aren’t but licensed.
A loss could be a uncommon setback for the trade on the poll field. Betting would keep in-person solely at Nebraska’s 5 racetrack casinos. FanDuel, DraftKings and the racetrack operators wouldn’t achieve a brand new market. Initiative sponsor Jordan McGrain referred to as the midnight outcomes “fairly clear.”
Opponents challenged the promised property-tax reduction on the coronary heart of the pitch
Tax reduction was the core of the pitch. Supporters projected greater than $166 million for the state’s property tax credit score fund over ten years. Opponents countered that the cash would movement to out-of-state playing firms. Nebraska presently taxes on line casino gaming income at 20 %. Of that tax, 70 % goes to property tax reduction credit.
A report commissioned by Tax Aid Nebraska, the committee behind the measures, estimated slightly below $87 million in new state tax income over 5 years. That projection didn’t carry the vote. Joey Spellerberg, the state treasurer, backed the opposition and mentioned voters noticed the promised tax advantages as negligible.
Ought to the unofficial end result stand, gambling-harm arguments and doubts about tax reduction would have carried a closely outspent opposition to victory. That could be a warning for future on-line on line casino and sports activities betting pushes in different states. It additionally comes as lawmakers are already proscribing sweepstakes and prediction markets.
Funding and signature questions shadowed the marketing campaign
The poll route adopted repeated failures within the Legislature. Lawmakers didn’t ship the same constitutional modification to voters, together with in 2024 and 2025. Tax Aid Nebraska then submitted greater than 201,000 signatures for the modification in late June 2026. It filed 146,000 for the companion statute. Election officers flagged probably fraudulent signatures collected in the course of the drive.
Funding additionally drew scrutiny. FanDuel and MGM subsidiary Roar Digital gave greater than $3.5 million mixed to Tax Aid Nebraska. The Authorized Accountability Heart requested the state’s disclosure fee to research. It cited the businesses’ possession in Eire and the UK.
The proposed market was tightly drawn. Every racetrack gaming operator may have provided wagering via at most two on-line platforms. Wagering servers would have needed to be situated in Nebraska. State regulators would have had till June 1, 2027, to undertake guidelines for on-line wagering.
The depend now strikes towards certification. County abstracts of votes should attain the Secretary of State by November 23. State canvassers meet on November 30, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. to certify the outcomes. Recounts in eligible races begin December 2 at 9 a.m.