Is Sports Betting Legal in Kansas? Everything You Need to Know

Legal Status of Sports Betting in Kansas

Sports betting enjoys full legal status in Kansas, a shift that’s still fresh off the press from 2022. The backbone of this change is Senate Bill 84 (SB 84), inked by Governor Laura Kelly on May 12, 2022, and activated on July 1, paving the way for a triple play of online, mobile, and retail wagering.

Kelly’s signature was the final nudge, with her eyeing a kickoff by the 2022 NFL season. The Kansas Lottery takes a starring role, empowered by SB 84 to roll out betting through its gaming facility managers while greenlighting interactive platforms and keeping a leash on certain events via its executive director.

Meanwhile, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) steps up to bat, setting ad rules to shield kids and vulnerable folks, plus running background checks to keep the operation clean. It’s a tag-team effort that’s locked in Kansas as a betting-friendly state.

Kansas Sports Betting Legislation Timeline

The path to legal sports betting in Kansas was a winding one, stretching from early flops to a triumphant finish in 2022. After the Supreme Court axed PASPA in May 2018, Kansas lawmakers tossed out HB 2752 that year, aiming to tie betting to the Kansas Lottery and casinos, but it fizzled amid debates over control.

In 2019, talks stalled again: no consensus on who’d run the show. The next year, SB 283 sailed through the Senate with a leaner fee structure for online and casino bets, but the House’s HB 2671 pitched a lottery-led plan with 1,200+ vendors, sparking a deadlock Governor Kelly wasn’t sold on either.

2021 brought a flurry of bills (SB 84, HB 2444, and more), but they hit a wall, even with Senate backing for a lottery-and-casino hybrid. The breakthrough came in 2022: HB 2740 teased progress until a lottery sales snag killed it, paving the way for SB 84 to pick up steam.

By March, it fused with HB 2740’s best bits, passing the House (73-49) on April 28 and the Senate (21-13) by May 12. Implementation roared ahead, temporary rules dropped in August, and six operators (Barstool, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel, PointsBet) got the nod for a September 1 soft launch, with Kelly placing the first bet at Hollywood Casino. Full rollout hit on September 8, locking Kansas into the betting game.

Recent Developments in Kansas Sports Betting

[February 17, 2025]: Kansas Sports Betting Hits Record $301.8M Handle in January 

[January 8, 2025]: Kansas Supreme Court Declines to Rule on Legality of Pace-O-Matic’s “Dragon’s Ascent” 

[December 16, 2024]: Kansas Sports Betting Hits New High with $291 Million in November Handle 

Land-Based Sportsbooks in Kansas

Kansas doesn’t just bet big online. Four state-owned commercial casinos bring the action to life with retail sportsbooks, thanks to SB 84’s blueprint. These spots can also sprinkle up to 50 extra locations with self-service betting kiosks, spreading the vibe beyond their walls.

Boot Hill Casino & Resort in Dodge City rolls out the DraftKings Sportsbook, flipping the switch in March 2023 after flirting with other brands. Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane teamed up with FanDuel, firing up its in-person spot right out of the gate in September 2022.

Over in Pittsburg, Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel hosts Caesars Sportsbook, welcoming bettors since January 2023. Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway, near Kansas City, started with Barstool but flipped to ESPN Bet, decking out the place with kiosks, ticket windows, and screens galore.

No geofencing hoops here, you just show up, flash an ID proving you’re 21+, and you’re in. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission keeps tabs, ensuring staff are trained to spot trouble and stick to the rules, making these joints a regulated playground for Kansas bettors.

Online Sportsbooks in Kansas

Kansas’s online betting game is alive and kicking, with a roster of platforms bringing the action straight to your phone or laptop. SB 84 laid the groundwork, allowing each of the four state casinos to link up with up to three online operators, or “skins”, for a possible total of 12, plus a bonus slot if a pro team signs on.

These digital books are hitched to physical casino partners, keeping things tight and regulated. More names like Bally Bet and Golden Nugget are circling Boot Hill Casino, teasing an expansion down the line. Here’s who’s live now:

• BetMGM – Paired with Kansas Crossing Casino
• FanDuel – Tied to Kansas Star Casino
• DraftKings – Linked with Boot Hill Casino
• Caesars – Also rolling with Kansas Crossing Casino
• ESPN Bet – Connected to Hollywood Casino via Penn Entertainment
• Fanatics – Flying solo, no casino tie yet

It’s a smooth setup, blending casino muscle with online reach for Kansas bettors on the move.

Sports Betting Apps in Kansas

Mobile apps are the heartbeat of sports betting in Kansas, delivering the full playbook right to your pocket with slick designs and killer features. Here’s the lineup:

FanDuel’s app is a fan favorite, nailing ease-of-use with same-game parlays and top-tier live betting, scoring 4.8 on App Store and 4.7 on Google Play.

Caesars keeps it straightforward, earning a solid 4.6 and 4.4, though it skips some flashy extras. BetMGM’s a heavy hitter too, 4.8 and 4.3 ratings, packing live streaming and parlays, even if it lags a bit in spots.

ESPN Bet, launched November 14, 2023, brings smooth navigation across devices, while Bally Bet dishes out live odds with grit. Bet365 mirrors its desktop punch on mobile, streaming select games and racking up high marks.

These apps come loaded: live streams on FanDuel and Bet365, geofencing to lock bets inside Kansas borders, real-time odds, prop bets, and loyalty perks like MGM Rewards or Fanatics’ FanCash.

Compared to desktop, apps win on speed and go-anywhere vibes, though some folks dig a bigger screen for stats, your call, really.

Legal Age and Requirements for Betting in Kansas

To get in on sports betting in Kansas, you’ve got to clear a few hurdles, age is the big one, pegged at 21 for both online and in-person action, a notch above the 18 needed for lottery tickets or horse racing bets.

Location’s non-negotiable too: you’ve got to be inside Kansas lines to wager online, with operators using geofencing tech to pin down your spot, VPN tricks won’t fly here.

No need to live in Kansas, just be there when you bet. Signing up’s a breeze but thorough, expect to hand over your name, address, birth date, and the last four of your Social Security number for a Know Your Customer (KYC) check.

It’s all about locking out fraud and keeping things legit, so licensed books like BetMGM or FanDuel won’t let you roll until they’ve ID’d you as a 21-plus player in bounds. Straightforward, but strict, Kansas plays it by the book.

Popular Sports to Bet on in Kansas

Kansas bettors bring serious heat to a lineup of sports, fueled by local loyalties and big-time showdowns. The Kansas City Chiefs, just over the Missouri line, dominate NFL chatter, Super Bowl runs keep the stakes high, though Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys snag some love too.

NBA action leans on nearby Oklahoma City Thunder, with Finals and All-Star buzz driving wagers since Kansas lacks its own squad.

Baseball’s all about the Kansas City Royals, whose 2015 World Series win still echoes, turning MLB’s long haul into a betting goldmine.

Hockey’s picking up steam: St. Louis Blues have fans, but Colorado Avalanche dodge the rivalry shade, and Stanley Cup playoffs spark live-betting fever.

College football’s a beast with Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats tearing up Big 12 turf, bowl games, and title futures racking up action.

Basketball’s where Kansas shines: Jayhawks rule the roost, their Wildcats rivalry is pure fire, and March Madness turns brackets into cash cows, with Wichita State Shockers adding grit.

Soccer’s on the rise too, led by Sporting Kansas City in MLS, plus Euro leagues and global tourneys rounding out the mix. It’s a full-on sports buffet for Kansas punters.

Sports Betting Bonuses and Promotions

Kansas sportsbooks roll out the red carpet with a stash of promos to hook newbies and keep regulars in the game. Welcome bonuses kick things off: drop your first bet with a “no sweat” deal, and if it flops, you’re covered with bonus bets up to $1,000 at spots like Fanatics, or snag a deposit match that doubles your cash (with some playthrough hoops to clear).

Odds boosts juice up select games, pumping your payout potential: Caesars loves tossing these out like candy. Loyalty programs sweeten the deal: Fanatics’ FanCash flips bets into gear discounts, Caesars Rewards piles up perks, and BetMGM’s MGM Loyalty tiers rack up points for the long haul.

Referral bonuses toss you a little something if your buddy signs up and bets, while parlay insurance softens the blow, if one leg of your multi-bet tanks, you’re still in the black with a bonus bet kicker. It’s a buffet of extras, keeping Kansas bettors flush with ways to stretch their stakes.

Sports Betting Revenue and Economic Impact

Kansas’s sports betting cash flow is stacking up fast, pumping serious juice into the state’s economy. The numbers tell the tale: 2024 raked in a $2.55 billion handle with $216.7 million in revenue, climbing from $2.12 billion and $182.4 million in 2023, and a $718.9 million debut in 2022 after the September launch.

Standout months like November 2024 ($280 million) and January 2025 ($302 million) show the market’s got legs. A 10% tax on gross gaming revenue, down from a proposed 20%, spins off millions, with 80% earmarked for a fund to lure pro sports facilities, eyeing a Chiefs or Royals move from Missouri with stadium cash.

The rest chips away at state debt, spruces up roads, and trims property taxes. Kansas Lottery’s cut funnels through its gaming managers into a special state fund, with a slice locked for problem gambling programs: 7.5% from in-person bets and 10% from online hauls stay in-house. It’s a cash cow with a purpose, flexing economic muscle while keeping an eye on responsible play.

Responsible Gambling Resources in Kansas

Kansas takes responsible gambling seriously, rolling out a safety net for anyone wrestling with betting woes. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) anchors the effort with its Voluntary Exclusion Program (VEP), pick a two-year timeout or a lifetime ban from casinos and betting spots, with a chance to hop off the list after counseling.

Kansas Lottery chips in too, plastering helpline numbers and tips across its site and pushing gaming spots to spotlight the 1-800-GAMBLER hotline—free, 24/7 support just a call away. Operators have to play ball, offering self-set betting limits and passing names to KRGC for the statewide exclusion roster if asked, while ads must flag help lines and steer clear of kids or at-risk folks.

The Kansas Responsible Gambling Alliance backs it up with extra links and advice, and BetMGM’s GameSense deal flashes responsible play messages at Arrowhead Stadium during NFL games. It’s a full-court press—statewide tools, education, and operator muscle keeping gambling in check for Kansans.

Q&A about Sports Betting in Kansas

Is sports betting legal in Kansas?

Yes, it’s legal. Governor Laura Kelly signed SB 84 in May 2022, flipping the switch on online, mobile, and in-person betting as of July 1, 2022.

When did sports betting kick off in Kansas?

Things got rolling with a soft launch on September 1, 2022, and went full throttle by September 8, just in time for football season.

What’s the age requirement to bet in Kansas?

You’ve got to be 21 to place a bet, whether you’re hitting a casino sportsbook or tapping an app, stricter than the 18 for lottery or horse racing.

Which online sportsbooks are active in Kansas?

Six big names are live: BetMGM, FanDuel, DraftKings, Caesars, ESPN Bet, and Fanatics, all tied to the state’s four casinos with more possibly on deck.

Where can I bet in person in Kansas?

Head to the four state casinos: Boot Hill (DraftKings), Kansas Star (FanDuel), Kansas Crossing (Caesars), and Hollywood (ESPN Bet). Each with its own sportsbook setup.

What sports are hot for betting in Kansas?

Chiefs football tops the list, followed by Royals baseball, Jayhawks and Wildcats college games, plus NBA, NHL, and Sporting KC soccer action.

What’s available for responsible gambling help in Kansas?

The KRGC runs a self-exclusion program, Kansas Lottery pushes 1-800-GAMBLER, and operators offer betting limits, plenty of lifelines if you need ’em.