Legal Sports Betting Brief: Nebraska, D.C., Mississippi

• Nebraska is considering removing the college sports betting ban on local college and university teams.
• Washington DC added another online sportsbook with ESPN Bet launching after a partnership with Monumental.
• Senator David Blount – a pro Mississippi sports betting committee chairman – won’t file a mobile bill unless asked to.

LINCOLN, Neb. – The first legal sports betting brief of 2025 focuses on Nebraska, ESPN Bet gaining access to DC sports betting, and Mississippi not looking to expand into online sports betting.

Nebraska lawmakers are considering repealing the state’s ban on betting on in-state college teams.

Current regulations prohibit wagers on games involving Nebraska-based colleges, even through brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at licensed racetracks. The proposed bill – LB 63 – aims to align Nebraska’s laws with those in neighboring states with sports betting, allowing access to popular markets like University of Nebraska basketball.

Advocates argue this could boost sportsbook revenue, while critics express concerns over integrity risks. A vote on repealing the Nebraska sports betting law is expected later this year.

ESPN Bet Enters D.C.’s Mobile Betting Market

ESPN Bet has secured market access in Washington, D.C., through a partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment.

The move will see ESPN Bet join the growing list of Washington DC sports betting apps, competing alongside platforms like Caesars and FanDuel. With this expansion, ESPN Bet continues to build its presence nationwide, leveraging its brand power to attract users in key markets.

The partnership also includes plans for branded activations at Monumental’s venues, such as Capital One Arena, further enhancing its marketing strategy.

Mississippi Stuck on Retail Sports Betting Amid Struggles

Mississippi sportsbooks face ongoing challenges with stagnant revenue and no plans for legislative action to introduce online sports betting in 2025. Senate Gaming Committee Chairman Sen. David Blount confirmed there is no push for legal online sports betting and he won’t file a bill unless requested by the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

The state remains reliant on retail sportsbooks, a model increasingly overshadowed by online betting in other markets. Despite pressure from industry advocates, Mississippi sports betting could fail to evolve past sportsbooks in casinos only this year.

News tags: David Blount | ESPN BET | Mississippi | Nebraska | Nebraska Cornhuskers | Washington DC