The CEO of WarHorse Gaming, Lance Morgan, discusses the potential for mobile sports betting in Nebraska. In 2020, a constitutional amendment was passed to allow casino gambling at the state's horse tracks, but mobile sports betting was not included. Since then, 38 states and the District of Columbia have authorized some form of sports betting, following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 decision to overturn a federal ban on sports gambling. Among these, eight states have retail-only restrictions, while Tennessee and Vermont permit only online gambling. Nebraska's neighboring states, Iowa, Colorado, and Kansas, have all authorized mobile sports betting, and Missouri is likely to have it on the ballot this fall. The majority of existing gaming tax revenue in Nebraska is already dedicated to statewide property tax relief, and legalizing mobile sports betting would generate an estimated $32 million in additional gaming tax revenue. However, another constitutional amendment would be required to legalize mobile sports betting. A recent poll showed that a majority of Nebraskans support mobile sports betting. While the plan was to wait until 2026 to pursue the constitutional amendment, Morgan believes that a special legislative session called by Governor Jim Pillen to address property tax relief presents an opportunity to get the amendment on the 2024 ballot. Mobile sports betting would be decided by a direct vote of the people and would provide new tax revenue without shifting the tax burden. It would also allow Nebraskans to keep their betting revenue in-state and benefit rural areas by eliminating the need to travel long distances to place bets. [ea5d69cf]
Gambling in America began with the legalization of gambling in Nevada in 1931, followed by New Jersey in 1976. In 2011, the USA Department of Justice clarified that the Wire Act only applied to sports betting, opening up opportunities for online casino platforms. Currently, 48 out of 50 states allow some form of gambling, with Hawaii and Utah being the exceptions. Online gambling is available in Michigan, Connecticut, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Each state has the right to establish its own rules for the gambling industry or ban it. Texas only allows the state lottery, horse and dog racing, and prohibits land-based casinos. Significant support for legal changes in Texas is expected in 2025, as conservative climates and religious beliefs continue to influence gambling regulations. Nevada, despite being one of the first states to legalize gambling, does not allow online betting. Indian tribes have the right to operate casinos in Nevada. California offers a wide range of gambling opportunities, including Indian casinos, card rooms, lotteries, horse racing, and recently legalized online sports betting. Each state in the USA determines which forms of gambling should be legalized and whether they should be permitted at all. There is a desire for more unified gambling regulation in the country. [ea91b2e6]
Native American tribes in Oregon are seeking to expand tribal casino operations in urban areas, which has sparked a negative and expensive lobbying campaign. State officials are concerned that the expansion could divert revenues from the Oregon Lottery, which has been a significant source of funding for education and economic development. The tribes argue that the casinos are part of their right to self-determination and would provide opportunities for housing, healing, and job creation. However, other tribes in Oregon and California oppose the expansion, fearing that it could lead to an increase in casino development across multiple states. The issue is currently under review by the U.S. Department of Interior, and the final decision will be made by Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The outcome of the expansion could also impact the Oregon Lottery's revenue-sharing agreement with DraftKings for mobile sports betting. The expansion of tribal gambling is a contentious issue in other parts of the country as well. [5a03fe41]
As of September 25, 2024, Americans wagered over $63.8 billion in unregulated bets in 2022, costing states approximately $700 million in tax revenue. Research from UCLA and USC indicates a 0.3% decline in credit scores post-legalization of sports gambling, while states that allowed mobile gambling saw a 28% increase in bankruptcy likelihood. Daniel Grabher, CEO of GlobalBet, notes that conservative climates and religious beliefs continue to shape gambling regulations across the U.S. [6033061e]