Nebraska Online Casinos 2024 – Which One to Pick?
Is there a Nebraska online casino for players? This is quite a common question, as the iGaming industry has revolutionized gambling, so it is only fair to wonder if this change extends to Nebraska. Unfortunately, Nebraska has yet to legalize online casino gaming, but that doesn’t mean you get to miss out on gambling entertainment.
There are tons of safe and equally entertaining alternatives, such as online social casinos. You can also visit a handful of land-based casinos for an authentic and adventurous gambling experience. We’ve taken the time to research and provide you with some of the best gambling options in Nebraska.
Read on as we review the gambling landscape and our top picks for playing online in the Tree Planter State.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Discover the gambling laws in Nebraska and what they mean
- Get an in-depth review of some of the best social casinos to try out
- Find out the best land-based casinos in Nebraska and their locations
Are Real Money Online Casinos Legal in Nebraska?
Although some forms of gambling are recognized in Nebraska, the state has yet to support real money online casinos. In November 2020, land-based casino gambling was legalized in Nebraska, and retail sports betting was legalized in May 2021. However, these laws don’t extend to online gambling.
Players searching for Nebraska online casino sites would find social casinos an excellent alternative. Social casinos are supported in most US states, including Nebraska, due to their non-real money nature. Moreover, you get a chance to redeem cash prizes while playing on these platforms for free.
For more information on online real money gambling, we recommend checking our list of states where online casino is legal in the US.
Fact: Nebraska has been one of the most strict states regarding gambling.
Our Top 5 Sweepstakes Online Casinos in Nebraska
Sweepstakes casinos are gaming platforms with free-to-play games. These casino gaming options are classified as prize promotions under the Nebraska gaming law. As such, sweepstakes casinos are not considered “gambling sites”, specifically because you don’t have to deposit money to access them.
We recommend browsing our list of the best US sweepstakes casinos available to Nebraskans. To get you started, here’s a list of the top five recommendations.
Luckyland Slots in Nebraska
Are you a slot enthusiast? You’ll undoubtedly find LuckyLand Slots the perfect haven for you. The online sweepstakes casino, besides boosting an impressive library of slot titles, offers a no deposit welcome bonus of 7,777 Gold Coins and 10 Sweepstakes Coins. These game tokens are valid for all games within the casino.
Interestingly, the casino supports SC redemption for prizes, including cash. There’s more: as an existing user on LuckyLand Slots, you can claim free GCs and SCs from daily and hourly logins.
→ To start your gaming experience on the platform, I recommend trying out Atlantis 10k Ways by REEL Play, as the game features 10,000 ways to win.
Sportzino Casino in Nebraska
With a whopping 170,000 GCs and 7 SCs, Sportzino offers one of the most generous sweepstakes welcome offers. Sportzino is a two-in-one gaming platform with services spread across online casinos and sportsbooks.
Although there are no table games on the platform, you’ll find many slots, ranging from new releases to jackpots and megaways. Thankfully, Sportzino’s generosity doesn’t end with the welcome offer.
There are daily bonuses, giveaways, and loyalty bonuses up for grabs, so you can enjoy free coin top-ups.
→ While there are several slot titles at the casino, the famous Big Bass Bonanza Megaways by Pragmatic Play caught my eye due to its high volatility.
Gambino Slots in Nebraska
With over 150 Vegas-style slot titles, Gambino Slots has enough to keep any slot player entertained and engaged. To kick-start free gaming, the sweepstakes casino offers an attractive welcome offer of 100,000 GCs and 200 Free Spins.
The promotion gets better as the casino offers other exclusive daily offers, including social media giveaways. So, there are many ways to top up on game coins without making an initial coin purchase at the casino.
Gambino Slots is mobile and desktop compatible and available in downloadable mobile apps and web versions. The social casino features various variants of slot games.
→ If you are searching for a fascinating slot title within the casino, I recommend Gambino’s in-house title, Dragon’s Gold, as it offers unique gameplay.
LuckyBird.io in Nebraska
Original game titles are one unique feature of the LuckyBird.io Casino in Nebraska. These exclusive titles are free to play, as the casino offers new players 1,000 Gold Coins and different values of sweepstakes coins spread across daily tasks.
Besides in-house titles, there are also games from popular software developers. As a result, you’d find games from BGaming, Belatra, Booming Games, Game Arts, and Tiger Spin Slots, among others.
→ Recommending titles to play in the casino is quite tricky, as the platform covers slots, dice, limbo, crash, plinko, keno, and several others. Still, a game worth trying for its simplicity as a first-time player is LuckyBird’s Original called The Tower.
Chanced Casino in Nebraska
With its tag as the No. 1 social casino, it’s easy to see why Chanced is the best Nebraska online casino for sweepstakes gaming. In line with the free-to-play gaming platform policy, new users are offered a generous welcome offer of 10,000 GCs, 2 SCs, and 20 Free Spins for the Eye of the Panda slot game.
Chanced Casino features 500 games, including live dealer table games streamed from live casinos. Sweepstakes coin redemption is also supported, so you can redeem coins for cool prizes after meeting the playthrough requirements.
→ For table game fans, Live Gravity Blackjack is a good table to start as you get to play with other users and put your gaming strategy to play.
Want to Bet Real Money? The Top 3 Land-Based Casinos in Nebraska
Land-based casinos are legal in Nebraska but strictly regulated. These gambling platforms offer bingo and a small range of slot games.
Currently, table games such as poker, blackjack, and roulette are not permitted in local casinos. Here’s a list of the top three land-based casinos you can visit in Nebraska.
Fact: Nebraska didn’t approve land-based casinos until 2020.
Native Star Casino in Winnebago
Located in the heart of Winnebago on a generous 600-square-foot gaming space, Native Star offers one of the best collections of slot machines in Nebraska. If you’re looking for an authentic casino experience, then Native Star Casino is your best bet.
The casino atmosphere is relaxed, fun, and exhilarating. You can also benefit from a range of promotions, as Native Star features weekly offers from ladies’ night to men’s night. Besides gambling, the gaming center features a restaurant with daily and weekly specials.
First time on this reservation, and everyone was so friendly, and I hope to come back soon.
Nikki, from Google Review
- Address: 214 Industrial Rd, Winnebago, NE 68071, United States
- Phone Number: +1 402-878-2901
- Website: nativestarcasinowinnebago.com
- Opening Hours: 8 AM to 10 PM
- Review on Google: 3.8/5
Ameristar Casino Hotel in Council Bluffs
Ameristar Casino overlooks the Missouri River and is 5 miles from Lake Manawa Beach & Picnic and also 6 miles from the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, so you and your loved ones are in for an exciting experience.
Ameristar offers a premium casino experience. Unlike others in Nebraska, the operator features a couple of table games, so players searching for titles besides slots will find the casino enjoyable. There’s also excellent hotel service, with 160 rooms and fine dining services.
Your slots team is amazing. I met a supervisor named Sarah who was so helpful with helping me locate my favorite machines.
Daisy, from Google Review
- Address: 2200 River Rd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501, United States
- Phone Number: +1 712-328-8888
- Website: ameristarcouncilbluffs.com
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Review on Google: 4/5
Iron Horse Bar & Casino in Emerson
If you are one for regular promotions and free play, Iron Horse Casino offers you just that. The gaming center is one of the five properties owned by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska.
Although table games aren’t offered at the 2,000-square-foot gaming center, you can choose from over 80 gaming machines, and that’s quite an option. Iron Horse Bar & Casino is also in a serene environment, perfect for sightseeing and recreation. Plus, there is a walkable restaurant in the building. Here’s what a customer has to say:
Good food with friendly service in the restaurant area.
Sheri Johnson, a visitor of the casino
- Address: 1106 Main St, Emerson, NE 68733, United States
- Phone Number: +1 402-695-0180
- Website: winnebagocasinos.com
- Opening Hours: 10 AM to 10 PM
- Review on Google: 3.9/5
How to Declare Taxable Winnings in Nebraska?
Gambling winnings are fully taxable in Nebraska, so you must ensure compliance. Presently, there is a flat income tax withholding rate of 5% on all winnings in Nebraska.
This rate is subject to federal income tax withholding. The amount of income tax withheld must be reported on Federal Form W-2G. The form, besides reporting income tax withheld, is generally used to report income.
If you win from any gambling activities in the state subject to federal income tax withholding, you are to submit a Form W-2G. In the case of a lottery winning over $5,000, such winnings are also subject to a 5% state tax and a 24% federal income tax.
Other Legal Gambling Activities in Nebraska
Besides online sweepstakes and land-based casinos, there are a handful of other gambling activities you can engage in. However, it is important that these be done at state-approved locations.
Below are other NE gambling activities you can engage in:
- State Lotteries and Raffles: Nebraska supports lottery and raffle entertainment, as they are often used to raise funds for charitable causes.
- In-person Sports Betting: You can place bets on several sports events in Nebraska. However, these activities are done in a controlled environment with numerous measures for responsible gambling in place.
- Keno: Although similar to the lottery, Keno is another gambling activity legalized in the state. This gambling activity is famous among Nebraskans for its ease and instant cash prizes.
- Horse Racing: Nebraska has a long tradition of horse racing. Over time, these races expanded to include betting. So residents can enjoy the thrill of horse racing and stake in the event.
History of Gambling in Nebraska
Nebraska has witnessed some changes to its gambling laws and policies over time. Until 1934, the state constitution forbade all forms of gambling. However, as the industry advanced, amendments were introduced to allow certain types of gambling.
Although the current gambling laws are pretty strict and there is no real money Nebraska online casino in sight, they are better than previously experienced.
Here’s a brief recap:
- 1934: Parimutuel horse racing was legalized in the state.
- 1958: Bingo games were permitted, however, by nonprofit organizations for charitable causes.
- 1967: The Constitution was again amended, this time to permit raffles, lotteries, and gift enterprises for nonprofit organizations and community betterment purposes.
- 1988: Simulcasting of horse races was legalized.
- February 1993: The previous year, Nebraskans voted for an official lottery, officially created in 1993.
- November 2020: Land-based casinos were legally allowed to operate, however, out of licensed horse tracks (racinos).
- May 2021: Governor Pete Ricketts legalized in-person sports betting at racinos.
- June 2023: The first government-approved sports betting physical bookmark, WarHorse Casino in Lincoln, Nebraska, was established.
- August 2023: A selection of in-person casino games and sports betting is allowed on land-based regulated betting platforms.
What’s Next for Nebraska Online Casinos?
Starting with a total ban and now a handful of legalized gambling activities, Nebraska has made significant progress. Over the years, there have been talks about legalizing online betting.
According to Lance Morgan, CEO of Ho-Chunk, Inc. — the parent company of WarHorse Omaha & WarHorse Lincoln:
Online sports betting is something Nebraskans want.
As a result, public polls were carried out to show support. However, these efforts have not yielded much fruit. While we can’t attest to future gambling laws in the state, we believe more progress will be witnessed in the coming years.
For now, the legal gambling activities available in Nebraska, although limited, are enjoyable. Plus, you get to enjoy casino-style games for free via social casinos. Explore my top picks to experience entertaining and free gameplay!
So, Will You Bet From Nebraska Tonight?
While real money online casino Nebraska sites aren’t legalized yet, several alternatives exist. These options are available as sweepstakes casinos require no deposit, so you don’t have to worry about monetary losses.
As a new user, you’re offered enough game coins to explore the social casino services and multiple avenues to top up if you exhaust your token. You can redeem SCs for real prizes, too, making sweepstakes perfect for Nebraskans seeking an authentic online casino experience.
If you’re one for conventional gambling in land-based casinos, this option is available, too. Do you want to play games in the best conditions? Visit our page on online casino bonuses.