TLDR Unofficial results show Nebraska voters rejecting Initiatives 440 and 441 on online sports betting. Initiative 440 was trailing about 55% to 45% in early counts. The pro-betting campaign raised more than $22 million, and opponents say they were outspent 20 to 1. Both measures needed to pass for mobile betting apps to launch. Sports betting stays limited to in-person wagers at five racetrack casinos.
A campaign that raised more than $22 million was not enough to bring online sports betting to Nebraska. Unofficial results from the November 3 election show voters rejecting Initiatives 440 and 441.
Opponents said they were outspent 20 to 1. Even so, both measures were trailing by roughly 9 to 10 percentage points when early counts came in.
The Nebraska Secretary of State posted unofficial results shortly before 2 a.m. Wednesday. At that time, 885 of the state’s 1,322 precincts were fully reporting.
Reported margins differed a little between outlets, likely because they checked at different times. The Washington Times reported Initiative 440 was 55% against, while The New York Times reported Initiative 441 was 54.5% against.
A Two-Part Plan That Needed Both Votes
According to Forbes, the proposal was built as a package, and both parts had to pass. Initiative 440 was a constitutional amendment that would have authorized online sports wagering.
Initiative 441 was a statutory measure, meaning a regular state law. It would have set the rules and the tax framework for online betting.
Betting apps could not have launched on their own under the plan. Each one would have needed to partner with one of the state’s established racetrack casinos.
Supporters had hoped to launch mobile apps by spring. They said the tax money would go toward property tax relief.
Nebraska voters rejected two ballot measures