The only thing standing between Nebraska and legalized sports betting is the signature of Governor Pete Ricketts.

Late last week, the legislature overwhelmingly passed LB 561 by 44 - 3 margins. Unlike most state legislatures, Cornhusker State has a unicameral legislature, which means that the motion will not have to go through the second chamber.

Instead, the bill goes straight to the governor's desk, where it will be left with signature or inaction.

Ricketts has been an outspoken critic of the expansion of gambling in the state, but with the topic's popularity with both citizens and lawmakers, it's likely he'll take the inaction route. If the bill is not signed or vetoed within a week, it will become law. Several anti-gambling governors have gone this route when public opinion opposes their personal views.

The legislation would legalize sports betting at traditional bookmakers. Online betting was originally included in the bill, but according to several media outlets, it was removed from the proposal during the floor debate.

Players will be able to place bets on both professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of state college track and field events. These games will not be able to place bets because the legislature added an amendment to the state constitution earlier this month that banned betting on amateur sports in the state.

Last November, Nebraska citizens voted to allow casino gambling in their state. The voting initiative simply allowed "games of chance" and did not specify that sports betting would be legalized. This bill would remove any confusion and make it possible to bet at these casinos when they go live later this year.

The law was adopted with a fallback clause attached to it, which means that once it becomes law, regulators can immediately start creating rules and frameworks for the market. This clause makes it highly likely that sports betting can take place when the casinos are launched.