Nebraska football legend Tom Osborne is speaking out against online sports betting as voters prepare to decide whether to legalize mobile wagering in the state. The former Cornhuskers coach joined 44 other current and former Nebraska athletes and coaches in opposing two ballot measures that would expand sports betting beyond retail casinos.
The opposition comes just days before the November 3 election, with DraftKings and FanDuel spending heavily to convince voters that legalizing online betting would generate additional tax revenue.
Osborne is among 45 current and former Cornhuskers athletes and coaches who signed a letter organized by Save Nebraska Sports, a group campaigning against the proposed expansion. Other notable names include former Nebraska quarterback Turner Gill, football coach Ron Brown, wrestling coach Mark Manning, and former running back Roy Helu Jr.
The group believes making sports betting available on mobile devices would expose more people to gambling advertisements while increasing pressure on college athletes.
One of the biggest concerns is harassment from bettors who lose money on college sporting events. Expanding access could lead to more abusive messages and threats directed at student-athletes.
The opposition builds off other campaigns. Save Nebraska Sports launched its campaign in September, with state officials and Nebraska sports figures questioning whether the financial benefits of legalization outweigh the potential risks. Osborne’s involvement gives the campaign another recognizable voice in a state where Cornhuskers football carries a lot of influence.
Supporters of online sports betting have invested heavily in the effort to win over Nebraska voters. The Tax Relief Nebraska campaign, primarily funded by DraftKings and FanDuel, raised approximately $14.65 million through September 29, according to campaign finance records. Each sportsbook operator contributed more than $7 million.
The companies added another $7 million to the legalization campaign earlier this month, highlighting how important the November vote has become for the industry.
Those who support regulated sports betting argue that Nebraska is missing out on tax revenue because residents can already access sports betting through neighboring states or unregulated platforms.
Nebraska currently permits in-person sports betting at licensed racetrack casinos, but residents cannot legally place mobile wagers from anywhere in the state. Voters will consider two separate ballot measures next Tuesday.
Initiative 440 would amend the Nebraska Constitution to authorize online sports betting, while Initiative 441 would establish the framework for regulating mobile sportsbooks. If approved, sportsbooks would need to partner with licensed racetrack casinos and maintain gaming servers within Nebraska.
The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission would also have until June 1, 2027, to adopt regulations governing the expanded market. With less than a week remaining before the vote, Nebraska residents will decide whether the prospect of additional tax revenue and a regulated online market outweighs the concerns raised by Osborne and other opponents.
