Online Gambling License in Nebraska

The Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission (NRGC) is the main governing body responsible for regulating and controlling all legal casino-like and sports betting activities in this state. However, the state also has the Charitable Gaming Division, part of the Nebraska Department of Revenue, which handles charitable gaming activities.

At first, the NRGC focused on regulating horse racing. In 1935, a bill was passed to promote the state’s horse breeding industry, and the State Racing Commission was founded to enforce horse racing rules and regulations.

However, in 2020, Nebraskans approved the initiative to authorize and legalize casino gaming at licensed horse racing tracks. After the referendum in November 2020, casino-style gambling was allowed at the state’s race tracks in Lincoln, Omaha, Grand Island, Columbus, and South Sioux City.

The referendum first authorized casinos to offer games of chance. As a result, the Commission expanded its role and was renamed the State Racing and Gaming Commission.

One of the main duties of the Commission is to issue licenses under the provisions of the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act. At the same time, the Charitable Gaming Division regulates various charitable activities, like lotteries, bingo, raffles, pickle cards, and keno. These games are offered by nonprofit organizations.

Types of Gambling Regulated by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission

Although online gambling and online sports betting are not legal in Cornhusker State, players from Nebraska can still enjoy different types of gambling entertainment approved and authorized by the Commission.   

Retail Sports Betting

When Nebraska residents voted for commercial casino gaming at licensed racetracks in 2020, the next step was an initiative to allow sports betting. The initiative was successful, and the retail sports betting in Nebraska went live in 2023. Nebraska introduced the first retail sportsbook in WarHorse Casino Lincoln in June 2023.

Besides WarHorse Casino, you can also place sports bets at several other retail sportsbooks, like Caesars Sportsbook at Harrah’s Columbus Nebraska Racing and Casino. Another attractive location you can visit to bet on sports is Grand Island Casino, where you can play at ELITE Sportsbook.

Remember that you can place wagers only in person via staffed teller windows and wagering kiosks, as online sportsbooks in Nebraska are still illegal. Also, the legal age for gambling at these sportsbooks is 21.

Land-Based Casinos

Nebraska has a few land-based casinos you can visit to play games. Indian tribes run some of them, while others are standard commercial casino establishments offering games allowed by the state’s law. We will name some of the most popular casinos in Nebraska:

• Grand Island Casino Resort in Grand Island
• Iron Horse Bar & Casino in Emerson
• Warhorse Casino in Lincoln
• Warhorse Casino Lincoln in Omaha
• Lucky 77 Casino in Walthill

Tribal casinos are located in Niobrara, Emerson, Winnebago, and Walthill. Available games include slot machines and popular table games like roulette, blackjack, craps and poker. As mentioned previously, retail sportsbooks are also available on-premises.

Horse Racing

Horse racing in Nebraska has a long tradition. We have said earlier that the state’s horse breeding industry was first put on the map in 1935 with a bill that also allowed horse races and pari-mutuel betting.

Since then, the horse racing in Nebraska has gone a long way. Today, the NRGC regulates all racing activities at six racetracks across the state. These are:

• Fonner Park in Grand Island
• Legacy Downs in Lincoln
• Horsemen’s Park in Omaha
• Columbus Exposition & Racing in Columbus
• Fairplay Park in Hastings
• South Sioux City in South Sioux City

Live racing and simulcast betting at licensed racetracks are legal and permitted. Moreover, these facilities are also allowed to provide casino-style gambling, so they are therefore called “racinos.” However, these racinos must also be regulated by the NRGC.

Lottery

Nebraska law also allows a state-operated lottery whose main goal is to collect proceeds and donate them to charitable causes. The Nebraska Lottery was founded in 1993. You can play different lotto games, like popular interstate games Mega Millions, Powerball, 2by2, Lucky For Life, Lotto America, and Pick 5, to name a few. Moreover, you can also purchase scratch tickets for $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Similar to many other US states, the laws in Nebraska don’t recognize daily fantasy sports games. Even though there were several attempts to legalize DFS contests, all of them ultimately failed. As a result, Daily Fantasy Sports contests are not illegal in Nebraska, and most renowned operators accept players from this state. In other words, fantasy sports are currently in the gray area.

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission Regulatory Framework

The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission (NRGC) is tasked with enforcing the Nebraska Racetrack Gaming Act and overseeing all gambling activities in the state. The Commission is also responsible for controlling the operation of games of chance by licensed gaming operators, preventing fraudulent activities and corrupt practices.  

Some of the gaming vendors that are authorized by the state to offer these games include Ainsworth, Aristocrat Technologies, Genesis Gaming Solutions, Light & Wonder, Konami, and Kambi.

The NRGC also supervises designated sports wagering areas where in-person wagering is allowed. Last but not least, the Commission regulates pari-mutuel and simulcast horse racing betting. It also ensures security at racetracks and enforces the Nebraska Rule of Racing that, among others, requires every horse on any racetrack in the state to have an official health certificate.

The Racing and Gaming Commission issues licenses for both horse racing and gaming operations and charges applicable fees.  

FAQs about the Nebraska Racing & Gaming Commission