Digital Wager Wire highlights the most important events impacting the domestic and international sports betting and gaming industry each week throughout the year.
Nebraska Sports Betting Amendment Reaches Senate Floor
In June 2023, the WarHorse Casino accepted the first legal retail sports bet in Nebraska history. That would have ordinarily been a prelude to the state launching the far more lucrative mobile sports betting. For example, Massachusetts began with retail wagering at casinos before following that up only a few months later with mobile sports betting.
However, that never happened in Nebraska, and now it is one of only a handful of states that offer retail sports betting but not digital. Still, that could be changing if Senator Eliot Bostar’s constitutional amendment, LR 20CA, continues to gain traction in Nebraska’s unicameral legislature. Nebraska is the only state with one legislative chamber (Senate), and LR 20CA has already passed a Senate General Affairs Committee vote by a 6-2 margin.
The next stop is the first of three votes on the Senate floor that must be approved by a two-thirds majority. Should that occur, the sports betting referendum would land on the 2026 ballot. And if Nebraskans approve, a statewide launch of mobile sports betting operators could be expected at some point in 2027.
Although not everyone is supportive of mobile sports betting, some senators who are on the fence are leaning toward voting for it so that the gaming industry operators don’t launch their own petition to get it on the ballot and circumvent the legislature. Should it go that route, online casino gambling could be in play, which is a bridge too far for many Nebraska senators.
Senator John Cavanaugh commented, “I’ve got a lot of heartburn about mobile sports betting. But if we don’t do this, they will put it on the ballot. And it will be more expansive than this.” Yet, the money leaving the state and being deposited by Nebraskans in neighboring states that have already launched sports betting is a bone of contention for pro-sports betting advocates in the state.
Lynne McNally, government relations director for the WarHorse Casino, stated, “Online sports betting would be a viable way to reduce the property tax burden since it would bring approximately $30 to $32 million per year in additional tax revenue for the state. We had the first bricks-and-mortar sportsbook in the state of Nebraska. We’re doing well and are very pleased with it. However, online betting dwarfs retail in every single state they have it.”
Westgate Las Vegas Partners With WNBA’s Aces
Originally named the International Hotel when it opened its doors in 1969, it was changed to the Las Vegas Hilton only two years later. However, in 2014, the hotel not only received a makeover but was also renamed the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
The Westgate is not only an iconic property in Las Vegas, but it is also home to the legendary SuperBook, one of the city’s most popular sportsbooks. And now the Westgate will have even more exposure after announcing an agreement to partner with the WNBA’s Las Vegas Aces.
“We are proud to partner with the Las Vegas Aces, an incredible team that embodies excellence, determination, and the spirit of our great city. From back-to-back WNBA championships to their commitment to community outreach and empowering young athletes, the remarkable women on and around this team continue to break barriers and inspire future generations,” said Cami Christensen, President and General Manager of Westgate Las Vegas.
