LINCOLN- The General Affairs Committee advanced a merged LB560 and LB561 which includes a constitutional amendment allowing casino gambling at licensed horse racetracks and laws regulating the casinos. The package fleshes out the gambling initiatives passed by Nebraska voters in November. These initiatives did not address sports betting though. However, former Nebraska football coach Tom Osborne says these initiatives will allow for more opportunities to gamble on sports.

Sen. Tom Briese of Albion agreed with Osborne, saying the Legislature should set parameters for sports betting in the state. Sen. Justin Wayne of Omaha, also in agreement, says not setting parameters creates a 'free-for-all' environment at the casinos. Other senators say they are unable to support the bill as long as it included provisions on sports betting as he is skeptical if voters wanted that authorization.

Under the merged bill sports gambling would only be offered in designated areas of the casinos and would allow for betting on any Nebraska college/university and would prohibit betting on athletes under 18. The bills also include the ability for people to request they be banned from casinos because of gambling problems. Background checks will be required for people applying for gaming operator licenses. New crimes would be created for things such as cheating, manipulating machines or allowing underage people to gamble.

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