July 5, 2023
Top Real Money Nebraska Betting Sites
Many Nebraskans love the thrill of placing bets on their favorite games and sporting events. If you’re one of them, you might be wondering how, and if, sports betting is accessible in the Cornhusker State.
Here’s what we know: brick-and-mortar sports betting in Nebraska casinos was regulated in 2021, and has rolled out as of June 2023. Online sports betting in Nebraska is not yet regulated by gaming authorities. Meanwhile, offshore sportsbooks are available online for Nebraska residents and across the United States.
We’ll help you navigate the landscape of sports betting in Nebraska. We’ll take you through the state’s online sports betting regulations and other key aspects when it comes to betting at offshore sportsbooks.
Nebraska Betting Availability – Quick Overview
Retail Sports Betting Available
Online Sports Betting Available
Online Horse Racing Available
Online Poker Available
Online Casinos Available
Retail Casinos Available
DFS Available
Tribal Casinos Available
Lottery Available
Gambling Age 18+
Top Betting Sites in Nebraska
- BetUS – Best Overall for Nebraskans
- Bovada – Best for NE Crypto Bettors
- MyBookie – Best for Nebraskans Who Like Live Sports Betting
- XBet – Best Variety of Sports for Nebraska Residents
- Everygame – Best for Mobile NE Bettors
- GTBets – Best Bonuses for Nebraska Sports Betting Fans
#1
BetUS – Best Overall Betting Site for Nebraskans
Nebraska sports bettors should look no further than BetUS for a top-notch experience.
BetUS offers an excellent selection of niche betting opportunities. You can include volleyball and golf in your bet slip, for example, two of Nebraska’s most popular sports. The site offers a wide variety of bet types, including player-specific lines and teasers. As well as an odds boost option available for some sporting events.
The sportsbook also offers solid bonuses. BetUS currently has 10 unique sportsbook-centric promotions. This is quite a few more than the industry average. It includes a 100% sign-up bonus up to $3,125 on your first $100+ deposit. Also, BetUS is licensed officially in Curaçao, and their 24/7 online live chat is extremely quick to respond.
BetUS stands out thanks to its free resources, like BetUS TV and the Locker Room blog. They offer articles, podcasts and videos decoding even the most complex aspects of sports betting. Whether you’re a brand new bettor, or you’ve got a few years under your belt, BetUS’ well-rounded approach to sports betting has something for everyone. That’s why we’ve ranked it as the best overall betting site.
#2
Bovada – Best for NE Crypto Bettors
It’s common practice nowadays for most betting sites to accept crypto, but few offer as many different perks as Bovada for crypto users in Nebraska.
Bovada boasts two separate crypto-only bonuses. One of which involves playing a crypto-related game and submitting your score for a chance to win $1,000. They also have a 75% welcome bonus up to $750, exclusively for crypto users. You can also unlock special account benefits if you exclusively use cryptocurrency. A deposit match of 50% up to $200, which can be redeemed three times a week. There is also a comprehensive help section for Bitcoin and crypto. Here, Bovada shows you how to set up a wallet, how to use a crypto exchange with links to resources, and anything else you might need a hand with.
Bovada accepts the most common cryptocurrencies for both deposit and withdrawal: These include, Bitcoin, BitcoinSV, BitcoinCash, Litecoin, Tether and Ethereum. Crypto payouts take less than a day (but are usually much faster), which is just another reason why it’s our top-ranking site for cryptocurrency users.
#3
MyBookie – Best for Nebraskans Who Like Live Sports Betting
Live sporting events are now available to bet on at a majority of sites. Some sites even offering real-time changing odds as games or sporting events progress.
MyBookie, though, takes it one step further by allowing users to livestream featured sporting events. This way, they can keep up with games or tournaments in real-time. Other than that, its live betting section is easy to find at the very top of the page. It clearly lays out featured odds, live lines and more. We were particularly impressed by how quickly the MyBookie live lines update. While some sites shut down the event for several seconds following an in-game event, we found that MyBookie’s odds update faster than average. When you’re betting live, having a few extra seconds to cash in on the value at MyBookie could make all the difference.
#4
XBet – Best Variety of Sports for Nebraska Residents
Plenty of sportsbooks offer the most popular sports, like football, basketball, baseball and soccer, for bettors to wager on. Only a handful go deeper and offer even the most obscure.
XBet is one such sportsbook. They have over 35 sports to choose from. True, other sites on this list come close to that amount of offerings. Bovada, for example, clocks in at roughly 32. However, we’re also looking at how many niche sports Xbet offers.
Although they do offer popular sports, Xbet goes further. With unique betting opportunities such as futsal, floorball, handball, snooker, motorsports, US and UK politics, and more. At the time of writing, they even have hot dog eating contests to bet on under their Special Wagers tab. It’s exactly this obscurity that makes XBet our top choice for sports variety.
#5
Everygame – Best for Mobile NE Bettors
Gone are the days of having to travel to a sportsbook to place a bet. Everygame offers a seamless mobile betting experience through their browser-optimized site. Compatible with iOS and Android, Everygame loads quickly. Its layout is uncomplicated and easy to use in both portrait or landscape mode. The sportsbook page immediately takes you to the next games coming up in all sports. On the left, you can access all the sports they offer.
Furthermore, Everygame allows you the option of push notifications, so you won’t ever miss a bet. The site is also incredibly efficient on mobile, allowing you to get to your bet slip or the live chat section in just one or two taps.
#6
GTBets – Best Bonuses for Nebraska Sports Betting Fans
There may be other sites out there who offer more sports bonuses than GTBets. However, what makes GTBets the best for promotions is quality, not quantity.
GTBet’s welcome bonus is spread over two deposits. You’re not only getting a 100% match up to $500 the first time you deposit, but 50% up to $250 on your second one, as well. This two-part bonus is excellent for loyal players who want to bet over a longer period of time. This means you continue to be rewarded beyond the day you sign up.
With automatic reload bonuses, a referral bonus, and a 10% rebate on any horse betting losses, GTBets clearly offers some great promos for new and existing bettors. Further, many of their promos allow you to bet on Nebraska’s most popular sports, like volleyball.
However, the truly unique bonus here is something called their Favorite Teams promo. With the bonus, you’re provided with favorable odds during the season on your favorite Nebraska basketball or football teams.
NE Betting Sites: A Comparison
| Sportsbook | Welcome Bonus | Bonus code | Available sports | Live Betting | Live Streaming | Read Review | Visit Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetUS | 100% up to $3,125 on first $100 minimum | JOIN125 | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, more | Yes | No | BetUS review | Visit BetUS |
| Bovada | 50% up to $250 on first deposit | BTCSWB750 | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, more | Yes | No | Bovada review | Visit Bovada |
| Everygame | 100% up to $250 | 3XBOOST250 | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, more | Yes | No | Everygame review | Visit Everygame |
| MyBookie | 50% of first deposit up to $1000 | MYB50 | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, more | Yes | Yes | MyBookie review | Visit MyBookie |
| XBet | 50% up to $500 | XBET50 | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, volleyball, more | Yes | No | XBet review | Visit XBet |
| GTBets | 100% up to $500 on first deposit, $50 up to $250 on second | N/A | Football, basketball, hockey, baseball, golf, tennis, soccer, UFC, more | Yes | No | GTBets review | Visit GTBets |
How We Choose the Best Online Sportsbooks for Nebraska Players
When we review sportsbooks, we first determine the legitimacy of each site before thoroughly testing it. Here are some of the key factors we take into account when recommending and ranking bookmakers:
Is Sports Betting Legal in Nebraska?
Online sports betting within Nebraska’s borders is currently not legal. However, offshore online sports betting remains available to Nebraskans.
Brick-and-mortar sports betting is now legal in Nebraska, with bettors able to place wagers in person as of June 2023. Currently, Nebraskans are only allowed to physically place sports bets at licensed casinos. In Nebraska, licensed casinos are actually racinos: race tracks that double as casinos.
Still, it puts Nebraska in a better position than it was five years ago. After passing legislation in 2021, Warhorse Casino become the state’s very first racino to offer sports betting in 2023. That said, keep in mind betting at the collegiate level within the state remains illegal. You are still able to bet at the collegiate level via offshore sports betting sites.
So, what does this mean for online sports betting?
As of now, online sports betting in Nebraska is unregulated by the state. In fact, the newest piece of legislation, which was passed in 2021, did not include any verbiage about the subject. There was also no concrete information on when this will change, if at all.
The future of online sports betting in the state is unknown. Yet, Nebraskans can still access safe offshore sportsbooks which are regulated internationally. All sites we’ve recommended here are based outside of the USA, meaning they do not operate in Nebraska.
Who regulates Nebraska sports betting?
Each state is responsible for its own betting regulations. In Nebraska, the Nebraska Department of Revenue and Charitable Gaming is responsible for sports betting.
Nebraska Sports Betting Timeline
The Future of Nebraska Sports Betting
In-person sports betting was legalized in 2021, and two years later, only one racino features sports betting.
Many racinos are looking to open in Nebraska within the next couple of years. However, it’s unclear whether or not they plan to open their doors to sports betting.
It’s the same situation with pre-existing racinos, such as the Ironhorse in Emerson or the Ohiya in Niobrara. Still, you could say the future looks bright for in-person Nebraska sports betting.
When it comes to online sports betting in the state, though, that’s where things get a bit tricky.
The most recent piece of relevant gambling legislation in the state was LB 561, which passed in May 2021. However, this made no mention of online sports betting. For now, it doesn’t look like things will change any time soon. That said, keep in mind that not even five years ago all sports betting in Nebraska was illegal. As many US states legalize online sports betting, there’s a possibility that Nebraska may eventually join them.
How NE Sports Betting Compares to Other States
Nebraskans spent about $202 million on lotteries alone in 2022 and have often voted to repeal anti-gambling laws. So, it’s not unfair to say that people from the Cornhusker State are receptive to gaming.
Although Nebraska has traditionally had strict anti-gaming policies, the state is making progress. Surrounding states such as South Dakota have legalized in-person sports betting as of 2020, but have not regulated online sports betting.
Wyoming, Kansas, Iowa, and Colorado have all legalized sports betting in one way, shape or form. Colorado currently has the most clearly defined regulations surrounding online sports betting. As of May 2020, it’s completely legal to place an online sports wager. In fact, the state has gained about $800 million in revenue from online betting.
Missouri is the only state neighboring Nebraska that still has not regulated gambling in any form.
South Dakota
South Dakota legalized in-person sports betting in 2020 in licensed casino-based premises. The first retail sportsbooks opened up in 2021.
Wyoming
The WY state government signed a new bill into law in 2021 to regulate online sports betting. Four WY-based betting sites went live that year.
Missouri
As of 2023, Missouri has no regulated forms of sports betting – either online or in-person.
Kansas
Regulated land-based and online sportsbooks are in operation in KS after new legislation was signed into state law in 2022.
Iowa
In-person sports betting was legalized in Iowa in 2019. Laws were further relaxed in 2022 as online sports betting legislation was introduced.
Colorado
CO residents voted to approve online and in-person sports betting in 2019. The first regulated sportsbooks went live in 2020.
Nebraska Sports Teams to Bet On
So far, the Cornhusker State hasn’t sent any teams to the big leagues. However, there are plenty of exciting local athletics programs to bet on. The best sports teams to come out of Nebraska are mostly at the collegiate level.
Nebraska University’s football team has won five national titles (most recently in 1997) and currently plays in the Big Ten conference. The Creighton men’s basketball team has gone to the NCAA Tournament in eight of the last ten years, making it to the Elite Eight in 2023.
As of August 2023, there are 15 NCAA Division 1 teams in the state:
Creighton University
- Baseball
- Softball
- Men and Women’s Basketball
- Women’s Volleyball
- Women’s Soccer
University of Nebraska – Omaha
- Baseball
- Men and Women’s Soccer
- Women’s Volleyball
- Men and Women’s Basketball
University of Nebraska
- Football
- Women’s Basketball
- Women’s Volleyball
Most Popular Sports to Bet On in Nebraska
Using Google Trends, we were able to decipher the top sports in Nebraska in 2022-2023:
Football (NFL and NCAA)
Basketball (NFL and NCAA)
Volleyball (NCAA)
Soccer (NCAA)
Baseball (MLB and NCAA)
You might have noticed that the most popular sports in Nebraska are also the ones with local Division 1 collegiate teams. Luckily, all of the above sports are easy to bet on through any one of the bookmakers we feature on this page.
Popular Betting Events in Nebraska
Nebraska Cornhuskers Football
Cornhuskers’ football is by far the most popular sports program in Nebraska. Tom Osborne Field at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln is packed every single week.
NCAAF Sportsbooks
You can bet on Nebraska football at sportsbooks like BetUS. Alternatively, read our guide to the best college football betting sites.
College World Series
The College World Series sees the top eight teams in the NCAA baseball battle and has taken place in Omaha since 1950. The College World Series is bettable event at plenty of operators, including Bovada.
Nebraska Football Spring Game
Pinnacle Bank Championship
The Pinnacle Bank Championship is a tournament on the PGA Tour’s development league — the Korn Ferry Tour. In 2017, current PGA Tour player Sam Ryder won the event based in Omaha.
Golf Sportsbooks
You can bet on the PGA Tour at sites like GTBets. Or discover other excellent golf betting sites on our dedicated page.
How Can I Bet Online in Nebraska?
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There are many offshore sportsbooks available to Nebraska residents. Figuring out what your needs are and finding a site that matches them is an excellent first step to kickstart your online betting journey. You can check out our sportsbook reviews above to get a good idea of which option is best for you.
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Join, register or sign up for your preferred sports betting site. Most sites have a fairly straightforward registration process. You’ll provide details such as your email address, name, age and payment information.
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Your deposit is the amount of money you’ll be able to bet with, so this should be one of the first things you set up. Make sure to double-check for welcome bonuses, as these can often be claimed as you make your first deposit. Some bonuses require a promo code to set up.
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Look at the various wagers available for your favorite Nebraska-based sports teams or events, and start to build out your bet slip. You can add as many or as few wagers as you’d like, or clear it whenever you feel like starting over. Once you’re happy with your selections, place your bet.
Nebraska Sports Betting Apps
Online sportsbooks don’t often have downloadable apps as they are expensive to make and are limited in device compatibility. Instead, most top bookmakers have developed fully-optimized mobile sites for all smartphone or tablet devices with browsing capabilities.
The experience of betting in a browser as opposed to in a dedicated app is similar. Simply open up your mobile browser and navigate to the sportsbook website. From here, you’ll be able to log in and place bets.
You can also save your favorite bookmaker to your home screen. That makes it quick and easy to access the lines at all times. On an iPhone, hit the ‘Share’ button at the bottom of the browser, scroll down, and then tap ‘Add to Home Screen.’
On an Android, tap the menu button (the three dots) in the upper right hand corner, then tap ‘Add to Home Screen.’
All sportsbooks we recommend work well on mobile, but the best mobile betting site available to Nebraskans is WagerWeb.
Play at the Top Rated Mobile Site in Nebraska
Retail Betting in Nebraska
Since the 1930’s, Nebraskans have been able to bet on horses in-person. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that legislation was passed to make retail sports betting regulated in the state. As of August 2023, there is only one retail betting site in Nebraska. There are no current plans for any more as of now.
WarHorse Casino
Although retail sports betting is now legal, WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, NE is the only racino to open a sportsbook as of June 2023. That’s not to say more won’t follow suit, but for now, WarHorse is the spot to go if you want to place a legal sports betting wager in Nebraska. You can visit their website here.
Other Types of Gambling in Nebraska
Sports betting is not the only option for bettors in Nebraska. The Cornhusker State has plenty of other ways to gamble as well.
Horse Racing
For a long time, horse racing was one of the only regulated forms of gambling in Nebraska. Today, Nebraskans can enjoy in-person horse racing at a number of licensed tracks throughout the state, including Grand Island’s popular Fonner Park.
Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
Daily fantasy sports are another gray area in Nebraska regulation-wise. The legality is unclear. Despite this, sites that operate outside of the state or country, like FanDuel and DraftKings, are available to Nebraskans.
Poker
Unless it’s not being played for money, poker is currently illegal in Nebraska. This seems to apply to all forms of poker, and the same murkiness that surrounds Nebraska online sports betting also applies to online poker.
Online Casinos
The state of Nebraska does not currently license or regulate online casinos. Indeed, the lack of legal specificity makes it difficult to understand if online casinos are allowed or not in the first place. We’re here to clear up any confusion. Players from Nebraska can access casinos (such as Bovada and BetUS) which are internationally regulated. All the sites with online casinos we’ve mentioned in this review are based offshore, and so operate under jurisdictions outside of the USA.
Latest Nebraska Sports Betting News
Nebraska Sports Betting Sources
Responsible Gambling in Nebraska
For some, gambling ceases to become fun and becomes a problem. If your gambling is negatively affecting you or your loved ones, it is time to reach out. The Nebraska Problem Gambling Assistance Program (NPGAP) is available for Nebraska residents. According to a recent report, over 570 people used their services between 2020–2021. If you think you might need help, you’re not alone – and there are many free resources available to you:
- Nebraska Problem Gambling Assistance Program (NPGAP)
- National Problem Gambling Helpline
- Gamblers Anonymous
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
With a degree in English Language and a passion for online gaming, Eddie has been writing for the online gambling industry since 2016. He specializes in reviewing online casinos and sportsbooks, looking for features that make the best gambling sites stand out. When not crafting informative and insightful reviews, Eddie enjoys playing poker and practicing his skills on the dartboard. With a keen eye for detail and a love of gaming, Eddie provides readers a valuable perspective on the world of casinos and sports betting.
