Online Casinos for Nebraska (NE) Players in 2025

Introduction

According to several sources, mainly discovered by archeologists, today's Nebraska has been inhabited for over 13,000 years. Since the 19th century, over 15 Native American tribes, including the Pawnee, Oto, Omaha, Cheyenne, Lakota, Arapaho, and Ponca, have lived in the area.

Also known as the "Cornhusker State," due to the school's football team name, it is famous for its vast great plains, pioneer history, agricultural production, and college football.

The state's name, though, actually comes from two Native American words meaning flat water.

The state of Nebraska became the 37th to be admitted to the Union in 1867.

Visiting the stunning cliffs and peaks of Nebraska, walking through vast prairies, or exploring its heritage is not the only option to enjoy in this state since it also boasts a long history of gambling!

Speaking of gambling history...

...up until 1934, Nebraska found all forms of gambling illegal, while nowadays, online casinos and sports betting are banned!

Over the past three decades, the state has undergone many changes regarding gambling rules. Although Nebraska still forbids many types of games today, in 2019, the state decided to loosen the definition of gambling and exclude certain games!

Regarding in-person sportsbooks, the bill was signed into law in the state of Nebraska years ago, but the residents actually got a chance to place their first bets in person!

This comes as no surprise since, according to the Nebraska Family Alliance, gambling creates social and economic costs that ruin lives, families, businesses, and communities.

When it comes to online casinos and sports betting, we will have to wait for the next legislative session, which begins on January 8, 2025.

However, the future does look bright since five of the six states that border Nebraska allow sports betting in some form, including online: Iowa, Colorado, Wyoming, Kansas, and South Dakota.

Speaking of Iowa, where both retail and online sports betting were legalized in 2019, Omaha, which contains nearly a quarter of Nebraska’s population, is on its border.

History of Gambling in Nebraska

From a prohibited activity to a regulated form of entertainment, gambling in Nebraska has developed over the years. As a result, state authorities perceived economic benefits and changed societal attitudes.

Horse-race gambling was allowed in 1934 in the Nebraska State Constitution, ending the 1887 prohibition on all games.

Bingo games conducted by nonprofit associations were permitted in 1958, and lottery and raffle tickets were allowed almost a decade later!

In 1992, after Nebraskans had voted, a state lottery was approved, allowing residents to buy tickets for games such as Mega Millions and Powerball!

Attempts to legalize other forms of gaming, such as sports wagering and commercial casinos, have been slow.

The Legislature rejected several bills introduced in 1999. Besides, a significant setback for those who had hoped to ease gambling restrictions in the new century came five years later when voters rejected licensing two new casinos in the state.

A year after the US Supreme Court overturned the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, the governor of Nebraska passed a bill changing regulations related to playing specific gaming machines in the state, known as skill games!

Games of chance remain illegal, while these machines would be treated as amusement devices.

Current Gambling Regulations in Nebraska

Gambling, according to Nebraska law, occurs when individuals place monetary bets on an event in which the outcomes are determined by chance rather than skill.

Skill-based games are those people pay to play, and the outcome depends on their skill level. Players who perform well can win money.

The end of 2020 marked when Nebraska citizens decided whether to allow retail casinos to organize in-person legal sports betting. Luckily, the referendum passed, and the legalization process began!

At the beginning of 2021, Governor Pete Ricketts signed sports betting bill LB 561 into law, although a firm launch date for the platform remained unavailable.

It was not until June 2023 that the first sports betting began at WarHorse Casino!

The long-awaited bill LB 561 also created a framework for casino gaming and keno, but online play is still to be regulated in the state.

Note that the state of Nebraska requires sports bettors to be 21 years old or older in order to place a legal wager.

However, online gaming still has a chance to become a reality soon since the state is facing a property tax crisis that legislators are trying to ease with online gaming.

What Legal Gambling Options in Nebraska Are Available Now?

Legal gambling is available in Nebraska in various forms. While the Nebraska Department of Revenue licenses bingo games, raffles, and lotteries, the Nebraska State Racing Commission regulates horse racing.

The gambling laws in Nebraska have traditionally been conservative, but they allow land-based casino gambling at tribal casinos, sweepstakes, social casinos, as well as Daily Fantasy Sports.

The law also allows for retail sportsbooks, but players in Nebraska can also play online slots, table games, and video poker at offshore casinos.

Also, if you walk into a restaurant or convenience store, you'll likely see skill-based games.

Sweepstakes casinos

Even though Nebraska is conservative regarding online gambling, players over the age of 18 can still sign up and play at top sweepstakes casinos and apps where they can play games for free and win real rewards. As long as these gaming sites do not require a fee/purchase to take part, no real money is wagered in games, and prizes are based on chance, you get to enjoy casino-style games and various bonuses and promotions legally. 

You will come across these gaming platforms called both sweepstakes and social casinos and while there technically is a difference, within this context of online sweeps rewards in the United States, they usually mean the same - social casinos where no purchase is necessary, but with added sweeps rules and potential real value rewards. Otherwise, there are social gaming sites that offer fun play only without any chance to win real money, which should be clearly stated in their terms. 

How Sweepstakes Casinos Work?

Playing at sweepstakes casinos can feel just like being in a regular online casino - there are many of the same games you’ll see at the latter, although the selection and variety will probably not be as good. Whether you’re there for some casual fun or hoping to turn Sweeps Coins into real cash, the system is quite simple.

The backbone of sweepstakes casinos is their use of a two-coin system - there are two types of currencies: Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins.

• Gold Coins are used for standard play and are purely for entertainment. You can buy these coins to access games, but they don’t hold any real-world monetary value.
• Sweeps Coins, on the other hand, are where things get exciting. These coins are often given as a free bonus when you purchase Gold Coins or participate in promotions. Unlike Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins can be redeemed for real cash prizes.

You can switch between GC and SC modes within the platform, depending on whether you're playing for fun or for a chance to win real value rewards.

Playing Games and Placing Bets

When you enter a game at a sweepstakes casino—whether it’s slots, blackjack, or poker—you’ll choose which currency to use. If you play with Gold Coins, it’s a casual gaming experience with no financial stakes. But if you switch to Sweeps Coins:

1. You wager Sweeps Coins in the same way you’d wager money in a traditional casino. For example, you might bet 1 Sweeps Coin on a slot spin or a blackjack hand.
2. If you win, your winnings are credited in Sweeps Coins, which accumulate in your balance.

How to Win and Cash Out

The ultimate goal for many players is to turn their Sweeps Coins into real value. The more you play, the more chances you have to win and accumulate additional Sweeps Coins through successful bets or promotions. Once you reach the minimum threshold (this varies by platform, so check the terms!), you can request a cash-out. The casino processes your request and sends the funds through available methods. All games at sweepstakes casinos use random number generators (RNGs) to ensure fair outcomes, just like regulated real-money casinos.

Games and Bonuses at Sweepstakes Casinos

While sweepstakes casinos don’t always have the massive game variety of traditional online casinos, they balance it out with generous bonuses and a steady stream of promotions. Nowadays, many industry brands and software providers are realizing the massive potential of the legal sweeps market in the United States and turning their sights on this vertical with elaborate strategy goals. This is good news for players, and with a little luck regarding the future regulation of the market across the individual states, we’ll enjoy more and more games, including the best live dealers and other innovations. 

Slots are the most common games at sweepstakes casinos, and you’ll find plenty of options with engaging themes, bonus features, and solid graphics. While the variety might not match the extensive libraries of licensed and offshore sites, the most popular latest games from known software providers are there to enjoy. 

Table games like blackjack, roulette, and poker variants are also available, though the selection of table games is usually more limited compared to regular online casinos.

Some sweepstakes casinos might offer games like crash, keno or scratch cards. 

One area where sweepstakes casinos truly shine is bonuses. Since these platforms need to attract players without relying on real-money gambling, they offer generous rewards to keep the experience exciting. Gamification, social media giveaways, missions and quests - these are just some of the innovative perks. 

Sign-Up Bonuses

Most sweepstakes casinos give new players free Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins just for signing up. This means you can start playing without making a purchase.

Purchase Bonuses

When you buy Gold Coins, platforms often include bonus Sweeps Coins as part of the package. For example, spending $10 on Gold Coins might come with 5 free Sweeps Coins.

Daily Rewards

Many sweepstakes casinos reward players just for logging in daily. This can include free GC, bonus SC, or both.

Social Media and Promotions

Sweepstakes casinos frequently run promotions on social media, giving away Sweeps Coins or Gold Coins through contests, giveaways, or special campaigns.

Referral Bonuses

Some platforms offer rewards for referring friends, often in the form of bonus Sweeps Coins once your referral starts playing.

Let’s see what kind of sweepstakes casinos you can play in Nebraska: 

Depositing and Withdrawing when in NE

Please see below for a table of the withdrawal/deposit and banking term rankings. Click on the casino name for a detailed look at the withdrawal and deposit score of each casino and how we determined each. More information about deposit and withdrawal terms for US players can be found here.

Conclusion

When it comes to gambling in Nebraska, there are some great options on the table, even if online casinos and sports betting aren’t fully up and running yet. You can enjoy horse racing, bingo, and state-run lotteries, which have been part of Nebraska’s gambling landscape for years. Plus, if you're keen on trying out online slots, table games, or video poker, you can explore international casinos that cater to Nebraskans.

To help you navigate the options, we’ve put together a detailed list of reviewed casinos where you can register from within the state. Our reviews are designed to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know: from the best bonuses and payment methods to the reliability of each site. This way, you can make an informed choice about where to play, ensuring you get the best experience possible.

With gambling regulations in Nebraska evolving, it's important to stay updated. Our reviews will keep you informed about the latest developments and help you find trustworthy platforms. Whether you’re new to the scene or looking for a fresh site to try out, our comprehensive reviews are here to guide you through the options and make your gaming journey smoother. Keep checking back for the latest updates and new casinos, and make sure you’re always in the know about where to play and how to play it smartly in the USA and the Cornhusker State.

Written by: Michael Shackleford