Missouri sports betting gamblers have actually crossed into Kansas for almost 3 years to position legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens might do the same.
Key takeaways
- Kansas lawmakers stopped brand-new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, meaning possible regulatory changes that could affect its six legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to launch legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting trends as Kansas gamblers may head east.
- Future changes in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator design or tax walkings, impacting competition and motivating gamblers to look for alternatives in Missouri.
Kansas sports betting wagering background
Kansas introduced its very first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The capability to put legal bets in Kansas brings in wagerers 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 change if Kansas legislators overthrow the current regulative structure. Sources inform Covers some legislators want to increase the state's sports betting tax revenue, amongst the lowest per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
Kansas' most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a lots books; if Kansas significantly cuts its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to put bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern
The modifications could be as simple as a tax increase. It might also lead to a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are considering, one that might generate more direct income for the state but potentially force out some or all of the six existing sportsbooks once their licenses expire in Aug. 2027.
The legislation passed previously this month just positions a prohibition till 2026, suggesting Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even think about a dramatic change to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, suggesting no perceptible effect for Sunflower State gamblers.
But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for dramatic changes that didn't appear feasible weeks back.
Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce
The Kansas move comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.
Missouri's multi-year sports wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters narrowly authorized a tally measure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed efforts to legalize sports betting wagering in the legislature.
Missouri's legal sportsbooks are set to start taking bets in the 4th quarter of 2025. There are likewise set to be almost two times as many wagering options in Missouri as Kansas.
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot step. The two U.S. market share leaders have actually, as expected, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri as soon as licensed.
Other books consisting of BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog also revealed launch strategies. Bet365 struck a deal with MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise plans to accept bets in the state.
Caesars, which opposed the tally measure over license allowance concerns, runs 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is eligible to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise run Missouri casinos that grant them instant market access.
Other books including Hard Rock, live in Illinois, might likewise pursue among approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports betting licenses.
The wider variety of Show Me State wagering options could draw in Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City metro location to Missouri to put bets, reversing years of bettor sports betting traffic going the opposite direction. This could speed up if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook roster, particularly if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
Missouri voters in the Kansas City city were the most ardent advocates of the sports wagering tally procedure, which could underscore locals' interest in placing bets in their home state when books go live.
Missouri's sports wagering lineup is unsure ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the taking place years.
