DraftKings and FanDuel each give $10.4m to Nebraska mobile betting campaign

Sportsbook giants DraftKings and FanDuel have each committed $10.4 million to the push to bring mobile sports betting to Nebraska. The statewide vote takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Those contributions make up nearly all of the funds raised by Tax Relief Nebraska. Campaign finance figures reported Monday show the campaign had collected nearly $22.5 million by Oct. 29. Fanatics and BetMGM have also contributed. Spending on television advertising and other campaigning has run to millions of dollars.

Betting on sports is already legal in Nebraska, though it has to be done in person at licensed racetrack casinos. Backers contend that residents travel across state lines, notably to Iowa, to wager by phone, so Nebraska loses out on tax revenue.

Jordan McGrain, the campaign sponsor, says regulation would bring consumer protections as well. Opponents doubt how much property-tax relief residents would really get. Critics contend the financial gain would be small next to the social costs of round-the-clock gambling. Save Nebraska Sports has recruited Tom Osborne, the former Cornhuskers football coach, along with Nebraska athletes and coaches, past and present, who cite addiction, aggressive advertising and harassment of college players as dangers.

Tax Relief Nebraska gave $750,000 to Tim Anderson, a Republican candidate in Legislative District 38, on Oct. 27. Anderson's campaign had raised about $95,000 before the contribution. Three prominent Republicans, US Sen. Pete Ricketts, State Treasurer Joey Spellerberg and State Auditor Mike Foley, withdrew their endorsements of Anderson following the payment. Advertisements promoting online sports betting are already airing in Anderson's name.

Passage of both measures would make Nebraska the 33rd state with legal mobile sports betting.