Missouri Sports Betting Launch might Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes
Missouri sports bettors have crossed into Kansas for nearly 3 years to position legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, Kansas homeowners might do the very same.
Key takeaways
- Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, hinting at possible regulatory changes that might affect its 6 legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to release legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting trends as Kansas wagerers may head east.
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- Future changes in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator model or tax walkings, sports betting impacting competition and encouraging bettors to seek options in Missouri.
Kansas sports betting background
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Kansas released its very first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
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The capability to position legal bets in Kansas draws in wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro location to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.
That might change if Kansas legislators overthrow the existing regulative structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators wish to increase the state's sports wagering tax profits, amongst the most affordable per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
Kansas' 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 drastically cuts its offerings, it might lead KS wagerers to position bets in MO, the opposite of the existing pattern
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The modifications could be as basic as a tax boost. It might likewise lead to a sole-source operator model some legislators are thinking about, sports betting one that might create more direct income for the state but potentially dislodge some or all of the six existing sportsbooks when their licenses expire in Aug. 2027.
The legislation passed earlier this month only positions a prohibition till 2026, indicating Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets till their licenses expire the list below year. Lawmakers might not even think about a dramatic modification to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, meaning no noticeable impact for Sunflower State bettors.
But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for remarkable changes that didn't appear possible weeks ago.
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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 legislate sports wagering 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 nearly two times as many wagering choices in Missouri as Kansas.
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally measure. The two U.S. market share leaders have, as expected, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri once accredited.
Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog also revealed launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.
Caesars, which opposed the tally step over license allotment concerns, operates three Missouri gambling establishments and is eligible to release its online book in the state. Penn (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, could also pursue one of approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports betting licenses.
The larger selection of Show Me State wagering choices might bring in Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to put bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
Missouri citizens in the Kansas City city were the most ardent supporters of the sports betting ballot procedure, which might highlight residents' interest in placing bets in their home state as soon as books go live.
Missouri's sports betting lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks could alter too in the occurring years.
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