Out-of-state gambling companies have launched Initiatives 440 and 441 to allow predatory online sports gambling anywhere throughout Nebraska. But Nebraskans are the ones who will pay the costs of addiction, family breakdown, and threats to athletes.
Nebraska's Bishops are urging all Nebraskans — especially Catholics — to vote "Against" Initiatives 440 and 441, which would expand a predatory form of gambling throughout Nebraska by amending the state's constitution and statutes.
Gambling companies have been flooding radio, television, and mailboxes with false promises of relatively insignificant property tax relief, which is no substitute for the social costs online sports gambling will cause Nebraskans. Here's why we must vote "Against" Initiatives 440 and 441:
- An Addictive Casino in Every Pocket. These initiatives would make every mobile device a 24/7 virtual casino by allowing online sports gambling anywhere in the state. By using aggressive AI technology and algorithms, online sports gambling exploits its users, especially young men and teenagers, and profits from their addictions.
- Family Breakdown. Predatory forms of gambling can lead individuals into financial ruin, eroding familial and marital relationships, increasing incidences of child neglect, domestic violence, homelessness, and suicide.
- Athlete Threats & Harassment. Student-athletes will become the targets of anonymous harassment, social media abuse, and threats by angry bettors who have lost money betting on everything from the score of a game to whether the player made a specific goal, free throw, or serve. That is why over 40 former Huskers, including coaching legend Tom Osborne, signed a letter opposing these initiatives.
- False Promises of Tax Relief. Online sports gambling special interest groups are falsely claiming these measures will lead to $166 million in property tax relief. For this to occur, Nebraskans would have to lose over $800 million from online gambling. Further, Nebraska's annual property tax burden is over $5 billion each year, which means $16 million per year in property tax relief amounts to only 0.3% of relief. This insignificant amount of projected relief cannot make up for the damage online sports betting will cause Nebraskans.
Bishops' Statement on Ballot Initiatives 440 & 441
Nebraska's Catholic Bishops - Archbishop Michael G. McGovern, Bishop James D. Conley, and Bishop Joseph G. Hanefeldt - issued the following joint statement about Initiatives 440 and 441:
"We urge Nebraskans, especially Catholics, to vote ‘Against’ Initiatives 440 and 441. These measures would expand predatory online sports gambling in our state. False promises of small property tax relief do not outweigh the serious social problems these initiatives would cause Nebraskans. Online sports gambling often targets people who are vulnerable to addiction, especially young men and teenagers. This can lead to family problems, debt, bankruptcy, homelessness, and mental health issues. Online sports gambling isn’t a harmless wager among friends. It turns every part of a game – play call, free throw, serve, or a pitch – into a bet where the house always wins, which harms sports and student-athletes. Let's not turn every phone into a casino. Please vote ‘Against’ Initiatives 440 and 441."
Take Action
- Pray
- Pray for the defeat of Initiatives 440 and 441, as well as the individuals and families who have been affected by predatory gambling practices.
- Share
- Send this informational one pager to family, friends, and fellow parishioners. You can also use it to have informed, productive conversations about how these initiatives would hurt Nebraskans.
- Vote
- Every single vote against these initiatives will matter as we protect the common good in our state. Join Archbishop McGovern, Bishop Conley, and Bishop Hanefeldt and vote "Against" Initiatives 440 and 441 on or before Tuesday, November 3rd.
