Nebraska ballot measures

Statements from supporters and opponents (official pamphlet)

Supporters' statement

Vote FOR Initiative 440 to legalize online sports wagering and direct more than $166 million to property tax relief. We know Nebraskans are already wagering on sports through illegal and offshore platforms or driving to a neighboring state where wagering is legal. This means millions of dollars in tax revenue leave our state every year. Initiative 440 keeps the money in Nebraska through a legal, regulated and secure marketplace that is projected to deliver more than $166 million in direct property tax relief to Nebraska homeowners, farmers, ranchers and small businesses over the next ten years. Legal online sports wagering will keep the money in Nebraska and generate millions of dollars in real property tax relief. Vote FOR Initiative 440.

Opponents' statement

Initiative Measure 440 turns every phone into a casino, every play into a wager, and every athlete into a target—sending hundreds of millions of dollars out of Nebraska to out-of-state gambling conglomerates. It is funded by out-of-state billion-dollar gambling corporations and opposed by many Nebraska leaders, players, and coaches. Online sports betting fuels corruption in sports and is one of the most common forms of abuse athletes receive, including threats of violence to themselves and their families. Every teenager with a phone will face aggressive advertising, while taxpayers and families get no real property tax relief, as casinos promised five years ago, and will be forced to pay for increased social costs. Vote AGAINST Initiative Measure 440 to protect Nebraska families, taxpayers, and student-athletes.

Statements from supporters and opponents (official pamphlet)

Supporters' statement

Vote FOR Initiative 441 to create and regulate a safe and secure online wagering marketplace in Nebraska and use existing state gaming laws to direct more than $166 million to property tax relief. Initiative 441 creates the legal and regulatory framework for online sports wagering, with real consumer protections and oversight by the Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. More importantly, this initiative requires that 70 percent of all wagering tax revenue goes directly to Nebraska's Property Tax Credit Cash Fund. That means more than $166 million in real property tax relief goes straight to Nebraskans over the first ten years. Legal and regulated sports wagering means millions in direct property tax relief. Vote FOR Initiative 441.

Opponents' statement

Initiative Measure 441 puts out-of-state gambling interests ahead of Nebraska taxpayers and student-athletes. It would turn every phone into a casino, every play into a wager, and every athlete into a potential target—sending hundreds of millions of dollars out of Nebraska to the pockets of out-of-state gambling companies. It is opposed by many Nebraska players, leaders, and coaches. Online sports betting fuels corruption in sports and is one of the most common forms of abuse athletes receive. Every teenager with a phone will face aggressive advertising, while taxpayers and families will face increased social costs and no real property tax relief. Vote AGAINST Initiative Measure 441 to protect Nebraska families, taxpayers, and student-athletes.

Statements from supporters and opponents (official pamphlet)

Supporters' statement

Initiative 442, Fairness for Girls, protects fairness, opportunities, and safety for Nebraska girls in sports. It establishes constitutional protections for sex-separated athletics in Nebraska grade schools, high schools, and colleges. Fairness for Girls ensures female athletes are not forced to compete against biological males. Allowing biological males to compete against girls poses safety risks because of physical differences in strength, bone density, and size, increasing the likelihood of injury. The initiative protects female athletes from losing scholarships, medals, or tournament advancement after being displaced in rankings by biological males. Fairness for Girls protects every girl’s opportunity to succeed on a fair playing field.

Opponents' statement

Initiative 442 adds unnecessary limits on participation in girls’ sports into the Nebraska State Constitution. Initiative 442 raises significant concerns about fairness and privacy by making gender verification constitutionally required for girls and young women who want to play sports at their public school, college or university, but would not place a similar requirement on boys and young men. It would also empower bad actors to unfairly cast doubt on young athletes who don’t fit within traditional gender expectations. Proponents say that this measure is about promoting fairness and safety by ensuring transgender girls cannot participate, but it would actually subject all girls to greater barriers and risk of harm and create a constitutional right to bully kids about their appearance. Vote AGAINST 442.