Online Gambling in Nebraska: Laws, Forms, and Player Behavior

Online poker is not legal in Nebraska. State law does not authorize digital poker rooms, cash games, or tournaments, and Nebraska is not a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA). Land-based poker may be available at licensed tribal casinos or future racetrack casinos, but digital participation remains prohibited. Residents must be at least 21 to play poker in regulated casino settings. Any online poker platforms accessible from Nebraska are offshore and not recognized or protected under state law.

The Nebraska Lottery is legal and widely available across the state. Offerings include multi-state draw games, local draws, and instant scratch tickets. Popular titles are Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, and Pick 5. Players must be 19 or older to purchase tickets, which are sold at retail locations. Nebraska does not currently provide official online lottery sales. Lottery revenue is directed toward education, environmental programs, and other public initiatives. Winnings are subject to state and federal income tax. Oversight is handled by the Nebraska Lottery Division.

Bingo is permitted in Nebraska under charitable gaming laws. Licensed nonprofits frequently host bingo nights as fundraising activities, and keno halls across the state often include bingo options. The minimum age to play is 19. Unlike New Jersey, digital bingo is not regulated as a casino product in Nebraska and is not offered through licensed platforms. State officials oversee these games to ensure compliance with prize limits and nonprofit regulations.

Charitable gaming is a major part of Nebraska’s gambling landscape. Nonprofits with proper licenses can operate raffles, pull-tabs, bingo, and keno, with proceeds required to benefit charitable purposes. Prize limits and event rules are strictly enforced by the Nebraska Department of Revenue’s Charitable Gaming Division. Players must be at least 19 to participate. While promotion of charity raffles and events is allowed, the games themselves are almost always run in person, not online.

Nebraska does not have formal legislation regulating DFS, but platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel operate in the state. DFS is considered a skill-based activity under federal interpretations and is not classified as gambling under state law. Players must be 19 or older to enter contests. Standard game types include salary-cap tournaments, head-to-head competitions, and multipliers. Because DFS is not regulated by a Nebraska-specific authority, players participate at their own discretion.

Private, small-scale social gambling is tolerated in Nebraska as long as no one profits from hosting. Examples include home poker games or informal sports pools where all participants compete on equal terms. Any house rake, entry fee, or disguised profit would make the activity illegal. These games are not monitored by regulators, but violations can result in enforcement action. Online social casinos using virtual currency are accessible, as they do not involve real-money wagering.

Nebraska does not permit commercial casinos, but tribal facilities operate under federal law, offering slots, table games, and bingo. In addition, racetrack casinos were approved by voters in 2020 and are in various stages of development, expected to provide expanded gaming options in the coming years. The Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission regulates these venues. The legal gambling age for casino play is 21. Operators must comply with licensing, security, and responsible gaming standards, with tribal compacts setting additional requirements.