BY KOBY BURDETT
Photo courtesy Office of the Governor
Sports betting officially became legal and launched in the state of Kansas on Sept. 1.
The proposition to legalize sports betting began on January 26th, 2021 when the bill was introduced. Senate Bill 84 authorizes sports wagering under the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act and Historical Horse Race Machines under the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act.
The Bill passed a Senate and House vote on April 28 and was presented to Gov. Laura Kelly on May 6. Six days later, Kelly approved the bill.
One-year provisional licenses were given out to different established operators such as DraftKings, Barstool Sportsbook, BetMGM, and FanDuel based on their success in other states that already had legal sports wagering.
Four casinos in the state are hosting sports wagering: the Kansas Star, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, Kansas Crossing Hotel & Casino, and Boot Hill Casino & Resort. The Kansas Star and Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway have opened in-person sportsbooks at their casinos. Kansas Star in-person sportsbook is being run through FanDuel and Kansas Crossing Hotel & Casino through Barstool Sportsbook. Boothill Casino and Resort and Kansas Crossing Hotel and Casino have partnered with DraftKings and BetMGM respectively to have their sportsbook through mobile sports betting.
Kelly expressed her excitement for bringing the availability of sports betting to Kansas as well as the benefits that Kansas will feel from Senate Bill 84 just before she placed the first legal sports wager in Kansas on September 1st, a $15 bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl.
“Every day I hear from Kansans across the state who are eager to finally place legal wagers on sports. I’m glad we were able to move quickly to get this bipartisan effort done in time for football season,” Kelly said after placing the bet. “Now, casinos, restaurants, and other venues will have another way to attract Kansans to their establishments—creating jobs and driving economic growth. And I’m willing to bet on that. Go Chiefs!”
On top of the economic growth that will come from sports wagering in the state, a portion of the revenue will be set aside to attract professional sports teams, like the Chiefs, into moving into Kansas. The Kansas City Chiefs are no strangers to sports wagering. Many professional sports teams, including the Chiefs, have deals with sports wagering companies to sponsor their team.
The President of the Kansas City Chiefs, Mark Donovan, elaborated on this at a press conference on September 1st.
“With that, we’re excited also to announce that we have formed partnerships with BetMGM and DraftKings to be official partners with our organization and create really unique ways for Chiefs Kingdom to activate and for our fans in the state of Kansas to enhance their experience in being a fan of this great team,” he said.
The rapid and successful push for legal sports wagering in Kansas, which looks to bring $5-10 million in annual revenue, has put pressure on the neighboring state of Missouri to follow suit. However, a sports betting bill was introduced but did not pass in the 2022 legislative session.
Just like traditional gambling, sports wagering comes with the same risk of addiction. For help fighting gambling addiction call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.