Missouri sports gamblers have actually crossed into Kansas for almost three years to put legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas locals might do the same.
Key takeaways
- Kansas legislators stopped new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, meaning possible regulatory modifications that could impact its 6 legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to release legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting patterns as Kansas gamblers may head east.
- Future changes in Kansas might include a sole-operator design or tax walkings, affecting competitors and encouraging gamblers to seek alternatives in Missouri.
Kansas sports betting background
Kansas launched its very first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The ability to position legal bets in Kansas draws in bettors on the Missouri side of the Kansas City city area to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.
That might alter if Kansas lawmakers overthrow the current regulative structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators wish to increase the state's sports wagering tax income, amongst the least expensive per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
Kansas' most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as many as a lots books; if Kansas dramatically cuts its offerings, it might lead KS bettors to put bets in MO, the reverse of the present pattern
The changes could be as easy as a tax increase. It could likewise lead to a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are considering, one that could produce more direct profits for the state however potentially displace some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks when their licenses expire in Aug. 2027.
The legislation passed previously this month only positions a restriction up until 2026, indicating Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets up until their licenses end the list below year. Lawmakers may not even consider a significant modification to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, implying no noticeable impact for Sunflower State gamblers.
But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for dramatic changes that didn't seem feasible weeks earlier.
Missouri sportsbooks prepare to launch
The Kansas move comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.
Missouri's multi-year sports betting legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, sports betting when citizens narrowly authorized a tally step to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed efforts to legalize sports wagering in the legislature.
Missouri's legal sportsbooks are set to begin taking bets in the fourth quarter of 2025. There are likewise set to be almost two times as lots of wagering choices in Missouri as Kansas.
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally procedure. The two U.S. market share leaders have, as anticipated, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri when licensed.
Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise revealed launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and sports betting likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.
Caesars, which opposed the ballot measure over license allocation concerns, operates three Missouri gambling establishments and is qualified to introduce its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also operate Missouri gambling establishments that approve them instant market access.
Other books consisting of Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could also pursue among approximately two-dozen potential Missouri sports betting licenses.
The wider variety of Show Me State wagering options might draw in Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to place bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook lineup, specifically if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
Missouri citizens in the Kansas City city were the most ardent fans of the sports betting ballot measure, which could highlight locals' interest in putting bets in their home state as soon as books go live.
Missouri's sports betting wagering lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the occurring years.
