The state of Kansas is home to a few collegiate sports teams, and that means that there are likely some sports fans looking to put some money down on their favorite team. Kansas is actually one of the only states that are pretty open when it comes to gambling. Many gambling types are legal, though sports betting isn’t technically legal yet, it’s not illegal to bet online.
Kansas Sports Betting News
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Sports Betting Timeline in Kansas Can I bet on sports in Kansas? Kansas Casinos Betting on Kansas Sports Teams Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting in KansasIf you look at Kansas betting laws, you have casino gambling, tribal gambling, horse racing, dog racing, social and charitable gambling, and the lottery all legalized and regulated. When it comes to online gambling and daily fantasy sports betting, there is kind of a gray area, where it’s not really mentioned in any law, so it’s technically not illegal.
We predict that Kansas will jump on board with the legalization of sports betting – they’re such a progressive state when it comes to gambling, they will want to ensure the state is seeing the revenue streams coming in – like other states who have already legalized, injecting millions of dollars into their economies.
They currently have both a senate bill and house bill in committee right now and will hopefully pass one by the end of 2020, if the Coronavirus pandemic allows them to reconvene. The two bills in question are Kansas House Bill 2671 and the Kansas Senate Bill 283. There is potential that these two bills will die out in the 2020 session, as they likely aren’t a real priority for lawmakers at this current time.
Now in 2021, as of May, a bill has been passed in state law cleared by the Connecticut Senate. This moves the state closer toward legalizing sports betting and online wagering, after years of debate and failed negotiations. An exciting move for sports betting enthusiasts.
A long-awaited gambling expansion bill cleared the Connecticut Senate late Tuesday, moving the state closer toward finally legalizing sports betting and online wagering after years of debate and failed negotiations with the state's two federally recognized tribal nations.
The Senate bill gives sports betting exclusivity to state-owned casinos, who are also able to offer an online betting app for Kansas residents to use. The House bill authorizes the Kansas Lottery to operate and regulate sports betting within the state, and allow for a contract of up to 1,200 retailers. The House Bill offers a much higher tax rate (14-20% versus the Senate’s 5-8%) which would generate more revenue for the state.
The House bill also offers more flexibility in terms of requesting sports be restricted - as many states have issues with betting on in-state collegiate programs and betting on eSports where there can be minors competing. Naturally, the casinos in the state oppose the House Bill, due to there being no mention of them being able to obtain sportsbook licenses.
Kansas is home to both tribal and commercial casinos, and could be home to future sportsbook locations if the Senate bill is eventually legalized. The unique laws in Kansas also include Poker, which is banned in many states, so it’s definitely a breath of fresh air that Kansas is modernizing their laws to include the popular table game.
A Brief Timeline of the Legality of Kansas Sports Betting
- May 4, 2023 - The total amount of money wagered on sports in Kansas rose to $206.2 million in March, marking a 6% uptick from the previous month.
- February 21, 2023 - A recent pol in the state has provided a surprising result, with many residents hoping that the law isn't amended in the future.
- January 26, 2023 - The regulators in Kansas have given temporary regulations to oversee sports betting when it commences later this year, though the specific date of launch is unclear.
- December 28, 2022 - During the first three months of sports betting in Kansas, bets totaled $536M while lottery ticket sales increased and casino gaming declined.
- November 21, 2022 - Domestic bettors and sports betting lobbyists are hoping to see the law amended in the coming months, as they follow the sweeping national changes.
Sports Betting Timeline in Kansas
Sports betting advocates have been trying without avail to regulate and legalize sports betting in Kansas. Although there are no local sportsbooks, bettors in Kansas can sign in to offshore sportsbooks.
2018-2019: Opening Up and First Attempts
With the opening up of the possibility in 2018 for different states to legalize sports betting, Kansas was eligible for the new market. Immediately the state held three hearings and considered letting the Kansas State Lottery conduct its own sports betting. While they showed lots of interest, they were not able to pass any bills in 2018.
2019 seemed promising at first. The Kansas Constitution is very clear that the State must run any gambling operations. Casino companies were heavily against the Kansas State Lottery running the sports betting operations, so they never got off the ground.
2020-2021: Some Movement, but No Passing
There were renewed attempts in 2020 to pass sports betting. This time, the private industry was more involved in the construction of the bill. It passed the Kansas House without much problem. However, the Senate and Governor Laura Kelley showed more opposition.
The debates about how to reconcile everyone's visions of the bill were cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, which ended the legislative session almost a month earlier than scheduled.
In 2021, the Kansas Senate passed a sports betting bill. Once again, the governor has expressed opposition to the bill as passed. Only time will tell if they reconcile a get something passed before too long.
Can I bet on sports in Kansas?
You can, just not at any particular location within the state.
As mentioned, online gambling is technically legal, so you can sign up for an online sportsbook and lay some money down, safely and securely. Online sportsbooks can be daunting to new bettors but some of the top sportsbooks like Bovada or BetOnline are totally secure to wager at.
| Sportsbook | Available In Kansas |
|---|---|
| FanDuel | ✅ |
| DraftKings | ✅ |
| Caesars | ✅ |
| FoxBet | ❌ |
| BetRivers | ✅ |
| BetMGM | ✅ |
| PointsBet | ✅ |
| UniBet | ✅ |
Kansas Casinos
If the Senate bill passes, and sports betting licenses are available to state-run casinos, the following nine casinos could be potential sportsbook sites in the near future.
- Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway is a commercial casino located in Kansas City.
- Kansas Star Casino Hotel Event Center is a commercial casino located in Mulvane.
- Prairie Band Casino & Resort is a Native American tribal casino located in Mayetta.
- Boot Hill Casino & Resort is a commercial casino located in Dodge City.
- Sac & Fox Casino is a Native American tribal casino located in Powhattan.
- Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel is a commercial casino located in Pittsburg.
- Golden Eagle Casino is a Native American tribal casino located in Horton.
- 7th Street Casino is a Native American tribal casino located in Kansas City.
- Casino White Cloud is a Native American tribal casino located in White Cloud.
Betting on Kansas Sports Teams
Many believe that Kansas City, KS is the same as the home of the Super Bowl champions. The Kansas City Chiefs are actually based in Kansas City, Missouri. There are no professional sports teams in the state of Kansas.
The Kansas Jayhawks likely are the state’s favorite sports team. The college basketball team has been a staple in the NCAA’s March Madness tournament every year for the past 30 years. While they have been knocked out early a handful of times, they have a national title to brag about.
Other collegiate programs in the state are the Kansas State Wildcats, and the Pittsburg State Gorillas.
Top Online Sportsbooks for Betting in Kansas
If you’re looking to bet on sports in Kansas, we’ve established that you need to sign up for an online sportsbook. We wanted to take some of the research work out for you because you really do need to do your research because each sportsbook has different rules, policies, and options.
We have developed certain criteria that we feel are important: deposit options, mobile-friendliness, bonuses, cashout options, and odds selection. We assess each book and have picked a list of a few of the top sportsbooks in the United States. Check out the reviews and pick the right sportsbook for your needs.
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