News & Advocacy
Tracking legislation, industry moves, and the ongoing fight to protect Nebraska families from predatory gambling. Updated regularly.
The Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling reports a dramatic surge in calls to the state's problem gambling helpline since licensed casinos began operating — a trend advocates say was entirely predictable and preventable.
A bill that would have required casinos to fund problem gambling treatment and impose basic consumer protections died in committee after aggressive lobbying by the casino industry.
Pat Loontjer's update on expanded gambling in Nebraska — what's happened since the casinos opened and what the fight looks like going forward.
When the Legislature adjourned — Pat Loontjer's update on the 2024 session, what passed, what failed, and what comes next for Nebraska families.
Those greedy gambling interests are never satisfied — and every session brings new threats to Nebraska families. Pat Loontjer's January 2023 update on what's coming in the Unicameral.
February 1st was Pat Loontjer's birthday — and a long, difficult day at the Legislature. Her personal update on the fight to protect Nebraska families in the wake of the 2020 casino vote.
It was a sad day for Nebraska when Initiative 429 passed. But Pat Loontjer's message to supporters is clear: the fight is not over.
On October 15, 2020, a news conference announced a broad business and professional coalition opposing the three casino gambling ballot initiatives — one of the largest anti-gambling coalitions ever assembled in Nebraska.
Gambling with the Good Life announces the formation of a Faith Leaders coalition opposing Initiatives 429, 430 and 431 — representing congregations from every denomination across Nebraska.
On October 5th, Tom Osborne and Governor Pete Ricketts joined Pat Loontjer at a press conference opposing Ballot Initiatives 429, 430, and 431 — urging Nebraskans to vote no on casino gambling.
Why are ballot initiatives the gambling industry's preferred tool? Pat Loontjer explains in a radio interview with Living Word Ministries.
GWGL's call to action ahead of the November 2020 election — explaining what Initiatives 429, 430, and 431 would actually do to Nebraska.
The Winnebago tribe spent $2 million to pay for petition signatures — Pat Loontjer's July 2020 update on the ballot initiative campaign.
It has been awhile since Pat last caught supporters up on what's happening in Nebraska. Her January 2020 update on the gambling landscape.
How do you honor the legacy of one of the greatest historical figures in Nebraska history? Not by building a casino in his name.
Dear Supporters, this has been a really rough summer. Pat Loontjer's October 2018 update on the multiple gambling threats facing Nebraska.
In Carter Lake, Iowa, the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska is preparing to open a casino just blocks from downtown Omaha — despite an ongoing legal challenge.
Is it too much to ask for "NO" expanded gambling bills in the Nebraska Legislature? Pat Loontjer's February 2018 update.
Well, we can all start sleeping better at night — especially Pat. GWGL's July 2017 victory announcement.
When will gambling proponents ever learn that Nebraskans cherish their constitution and their Good Life? GWGL's September 2016 update.
Just imagine how much more of this we will have if they change Nebraska's constitution to allow casino gambling.
A former Dundee Presbyterian church worker received probation after stealing from the congregation to fund a gambling addiction.
A bill supporters said would regulate fantasy sports — and three other gambling expansion bills — died in the Nebraska Legislature.
LINCOLN — Omaha State Sen. Ernie Chambers has vowed to "run" the three-part gambling bill that would define fantasy sports as games of skill.
Former Nebraska Cornhusker Rickey Thenarse speaks out about how gambling addiction derailed his life and career.
Dear Friends, Pat Loontjer is still reeling with joy and gratitude. After months of hard work, GWGL wins another victory for Nebraska.
Dear Supporter, looks like we are starting off with a "BANG" — the poker room bill is coming to a vote Monday. GWGL needs your help immediately.
Pat Loontjer, Executive Director of Gambling with the Good Life, celebrates 20 years of fighting for Nebraska families.
A proclamation honoring 20 years of Gambling With The Good Life's service to Nebraska families was presented at the anniversary celebration.
Two high-profile online fantasy sports franchises have reached an agreement with the Idaho Attorney General's office to quit conducting paid contests in Idaho.
While the Florida Senate signaled its gambling bills were all but dead, one lawmaker wanted his colleagues to remember that gaming revenues come at a high price.
A man who admitted he used his position as a CPA to steal more than $4 million from a Rahway mega church was sentenced to almost 5 years in prison.
Disclosure filings reveal the scale of the gambling industry's political spending in Nebraska — and who is on the receiving end of their campaign contributions.
Our founder delivered testimony on the human cost of problem gambling in Nebraska, presenting data from the Research Library and personal accounts from affected families.
A landmark study using county-level data from states with recent casino legalization finds a direct, measurable relationship between casino proximity and problem gambling prevalence.
With LB 1024 dead and casino revenues growing, advocates are preparing for the next legislative session. Here's what bills are being drafted and what the fight will look like.
Official Voter Information
Read the full text, analysis, and voter guide for Nebraska's Initiative 440 — the online sports wagering constitutional amendment on the 2026 ballot.
The Nebraska Examiner's official voter guide for the ballot measure — what it does, who supports it, who opposes it, and what it means for Nebraska families.
Nebraska Examiner →Ballotpedia's nonpartisan summary of Initiative 440 — full text, fiscal analysis, campaign finance, and the arguments for and against.
Ballotpedia →
The New Threat
Mobile sports betting apps have transformed gambling from a destination activity into a 24/7 temptation. Nebraska's Initiatives 440 and 441 would open the door to these predatory platforms — putting casino-grade gambling tools directly on the phones of Nebraska's youth.
Research shows sports bettors develop problem gambling at higher rates than traditional casino gamblers. The speed, accessibility, and constant notifications of betting apps are engineered to maximize engagement — and addiction.
Video Library
Hear from respected voices on the real costs of gambling — from economists and faith leaders to families who lived it.
Industry Expose
A hard look at how the gambling industry operates — and who really pays the price.
Nebraska's Own
Omaha's most famous investor shares his perspective on gambling and what it means for communities.
Documentary
A clinical breakdown of how gambling hijacks the brain's reward system — and why it's so hard to stop.
