Missouri Sports Betting Launch Could Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes
Missouri sports wagerers have crossed into Kansas for almost three years to put legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas locals may do the exact same.
Key takeaways
- Kansas legislators sportsbook license extensions until 2026, meaning possible regulatory changes that might affect its six legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, sports betting potentially reversing cross-border betting patterns as Kansas gamblers may head east.
- Future modifications in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator model or tax walkings, affecting competition and encouraging bettors to seek options in Missouri.
Kansas sports wagering background
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Kansas launched its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The ability to put legal bets in Kansas brings in gamblers 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 lawmakers overthrow the current regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators desire to increase the state's sports betting tax earnings, among the lowest per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
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Kansas' most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting market next year will come after Missouri goes live with as lots of as a lots books; if Kansas significantly curtails its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to put bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern
The changes could be as easy as a tax increase. It might also lead to a sole-source operator model some legislators are thinking about, one that might create more direct revenue for the state but possibly displace some or sports betting all of the six existing sportsbooks when their licenses expire in Aug. 2027.
The legislation passed earlier this month only puts a restriction up until 2026, suggesting Kansas' current sportsbooks can take bets till their licenses expire the following year. Lawmakers might not even think about a significant modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no perceptible effect for Sunflower State bettors.
But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for significant modifications that didn't seem possible weeks back.
Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce
The Kansas relocation comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.
Missouri's multi-year sports wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters directly approved a tally measure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed efforts to legalize sports betting in the legislature.
Missouri's legal sportsbooks are set to start taking bets in the 4th quarter of 2025. There are also set to be almost twice as numerous wagering choices in Missouri as Kansas.
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot procedure. The 2 U.S. market share leaders have actually, as expected, announced plans to take bets in Missouri once certified.
Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog also announced launch strategies. Bet365 struck a deal with MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.
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Caesars, which opposed the ballot measure over license allowance concerns, operates three Missouri gambling establishments and is qualified to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also operate Missouri casinos that approve them immediate market gain access to.
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Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could likewise pursue among roughly two-dozen possible Missouri sports betting licenses.
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The broader range of Show Me State betting alternatives might attract Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of wagerer 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 tally procedure, which could highlight residents' interest in putting bets in their home state once books go live.
Missouri's sports betting lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the ensuing years.