Former college athletes and coaches have joined opposition to two Nebraska ballot initiatives that would legalize online and mobile sports betting, arguing that the expansion could increase financial harm to families and expose student-athletes to greater harassment from gamblers.
Group Raises Tax and Athlete Safety Concerns
Members of Save Nebraska Sports and the Nebraska Family Alliance spoke at the state Capitol last Thursday, outlining their concerns about the potential effects of internet wagering. The groups argue that any tax benefits would be outweighed by losses for Nebraska residents.
“They are seeking to make a profit at the expense of Nebraska families, businesses, fans, and student athletes,” Nebraska Family Alliance Executive Director Nate Grasz said.
Grasz was joined by State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg (R), State Auditor Mike Foley (D), and Nebraska football assistant coach Ron Brown. The appearance marked one of the first instances in which former college athletes and coaches have publicly opposed sports betting legalisation in the state.
Former Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Tom Osborne also called for voters to reject the measures. He said his coaching experience had shown him the pressure placed on student-athletes, including criticism linked to point spreads and individual statistics.
“As a coach, I saw firsthand the immense pressure student athletes face,” Osborne said. “Some of the harshest criticism athletes receive is not for losing, but for failing to beat a point spread or reach a certain number of yards, completions or touchdowns. Online sports gambling turns an athletic contest into a gambling exercise with someone else’s money riding on the performance of young men and women.”
Measures Would Add Online Betting
The two ballot initiatives were certified in August. One proposes a constitutional amendment to legalise online betting, while the other would create a statutory regulatory framework for the industry.
Nebraska legalised sports betting in 2021, but wagering is currently limited to in-person bets at physical sportsbooks. Supporters of online expansion view the sector as a potential source of revenue that could help offset high property taxes.
Opponents, however, point to concerns and surveys involving online harassment of student-athletes by gamblers. NCAA President Charlie Baker has urged states to prohibit college prop bets as part of efforts to address the problem, and some states have adopted such restrictions.
“It will follow us onto our phones through apps, advertisements, promotions, notifications, day and night, and this matters because our kids are going to grow up in this environment,” Spellerberg said.
Secretary of State Robert Evnen (R) certified the measures despite opposition from other state leaders, including former Governor Kay Orr (R) and U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R).
Supporters say many Nebraskans already use offshore gaming sites and note that neighbouring Colorado and Missouri have online betting. Missouri launched wagering in December after voters approved a ballot measure in November 2024.
