When the state of Nebraska approved sports betting in 2021, the language included an exemption that barred wagering on Nebraska colleges and universities. The addition was believed necessary to secure passage of the legislation.
Fast-forward a couple years, and there is now a push to rectify the situation. State Senator Eliot Bostar has introduced a bill to permit wagers on home games for Nebraska college and university teams. Bostar said he doesn’t think the current law represents good policy, because it makes a distinction based solely on where collegiate teams compete.
“This isn’t about expanding gambling,” Bostar said. “It’s about providing consistency in our statutes.”
Bostar’s proposal would shift some revenue to the Nebraska Opportunity Grant program, which provides financial aid to students at colleges and universities within the state. The state lottery now funds the program.
This bill introduction comes at a time when bettors have yet to wager anything as the state is still working on the rules and regulations.
