Nebraska mobile betting ballot campaign funded by DraftKings and FanDuel

Nebraska mobile betting ballot measures have drawn major financial support from DraftKings and FanDuel. Each company gave $10.4 million to Tax Relief Nebraska, the group backing legal online sports betting. The campaign had collected almost $22.5 million by 29 October, based on state finance records.

The group has spent much of this money on television adverts to reach voters ahead of the ballot.

Ballot measures, campaign money and current rules

Tax Relief Nebraska is backing two measures on the 3 November ballot. Initiative 440 would change the state constitution to allow online sports betting. Initiative 441 would set up the rules for the new market. Both must pass for mobile betting to be legal. Fanatics Sportsbook and BetMGM have also given money to the campaign.

At present, all sports bets must be placed in person at a licensed racetrack casino. If voters approve both measures, those venues could work with online betting operators. The campaign says up to 12 mobile platforms could launch under the new system.

The state would become the 33rd in the US with legal mobile sports betting.

Opposition, tax relief claims and political fallout

A group called Save Nebraska Sports, which includes former Cornhuskers coach Tom Osborne and other athletes, is against the measures. They warn about gambling addiction, more adverts and pressure on college players. US Senator Pete Ricketts said a Republican group is urging voters to reject the proposals.

Ricketts also said the promised tax relief is small compared to the gambling losses needed. The ballot pamphlet says the measures would send over $166 million to property tax relief, with 70% of gambling tax money going to a state fund. On 27 October, the campaign group gave $750,000 to a legislative candidate, Tim Anderson.

Three Republican officials withdrew their support for Anderson after learning about the donation.