The overwhelming majority of the legislators late last week crossed the LB 561 by 44 - 3 margins. Unlike most state legislatures, Cornhusker has a unicameral legislature, which means the proposal will not have to go through a second chamber.
Instead, the bill goes straight to the governor's desk, where it will remain signed or inactive.
Ricketts has been a blatant critic of the state's gambling expansion, but with the topic's popularity among citizens and lawmakers alike, it is likely he will take the route of inaction. If a law is not signed or vetoed within a week, it becomes law. Several anti-gambling governors have followed this path as the public opposes their personal views.
Legislation would legalize sports betting in traditional bookmakers. Online betting was originally included in the bill, but according to several media, it was removed from the proposal during a debate on the court.
Players will be able to bet on both professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of athletics competitions at state colleges. These games will not be allowed to bet because the legislature added an amendment to the state's constitution earlier this month that banned betting on amateur sports in the state.
Last November, Nebraska citizens voted to allow gambling at a casino in their state. The voting initiative simply allowed for "games of chance" and did not specify that sports betting would be legalized. This law would remove any ambiguities and make it possible to bet at these casinos when they go live later this year.
The law was adopted with a fall-back clause attached to it, meaning that as soon as 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.