Gambling expansion proposals rejected in three US states

On US midterm election day, voters' attention was largely focused on the fate of the House of Representatives and the Senate. In some states, however, gambling and casino issues appeared on the ballot. All proposals to expand gambling in Nebraska, Virginia and Indiana were rejected. Texas's "blue wave" could pave the way for retail casinos or sports betting in the future.

In Nebraska, voters cast ballots on Measure 440, which would have regulated online sports betting, and Measure 441, which would have effectively authorized it. Both were rejected, with about 54 percent voting no on each. Casino owners and sports betting operators launched a signature campaign in March and collected the required signatures by August. The proposals would have allowed the state's horse racing tracks to partner with online betting operators. Nebraska had legalized in-person betting in 2021.

The opposing side included elected local leaders as well as current and former coaches and players from the University of Nebraska. Legendary coach Tom Osborne was among them. FanDuel, DraftKings, Fanatics and MGM spent over 20 million dollars supporting online sports betting. WarHorse Casino, which operates three commercial casinos in the state, backed the proposal. The company's director of government relations, Lynne McNally, said after the vote that she was disappointed for Nebraska. McNally noted that online betting was already taking place statewide, but Nebraska was missing out on tax revenue.

In Virginia, voters in the town of Pulaski and Amherst County were asked whether pari-mutuel betting at off-track betting facilities should be legal. In Pulaski, 51 percent voted no, and in Amherst County, 56 percent voted no, so both proposals were rejected. The proposal also covered the addition of historical horse racing machines, which resemble slot machines and are based on the results of races that have already been run.