Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Kansas?

Latest Update: As of September 1, 2022 sports betting is legal in Kansas. BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars, DraftKings, and PointsBet are the first active sportsbooks in the state with more to follow.

Sign up to either PointsBet or DraftKings in Kansas and take advantage of their generous bonuses!

Compared to some of its neighboring mid-western American states, Kansas has fairly progressive views on gambling. With several land-based casinos, legal pari-mutuel wagering, a state lottery with multiple games as well as numerous charitable gaming options, residents of the Sunflower state can already scratch their gambling itch in a variety of ways.

In 2022, Kansas added sports betting to its gambling portfolio after years of trying to get laws passed.

In Kansas, the state owns all of the casinos.

Here, we’ll dive into further detail about how sports betting became legal in Kansas and the road to getting there.

If you’re curious about where in the US it’s legal to bet on sports, browse our state-by-state guides.

The Current Online Sports Betting Situation in Kansas

Nearly four years after the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned in May 2018, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed SB84 into law on May 12, 2022.

Following the signature, the law took full effect on July 1, 2022, with a soft launch for online sports betting set for September 1, 2022, in preparation for a complete launch on September 8, aligned with the start of the 2022-23 NFL season.

There are currently four casinos in Kansas partnered with online platforms.

Additionally, just hours before the soft launch, BetMGM partnered with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Sports betting in Kansas saw some interesting interaction as more than 16,000 Missouri residents attempted to bet at Kansas sportsbook, per GeoComply, a cybersecurity/fraud prevention firm.

Which Online Sports Betting Sites are Legal in Kansas?

• DraftKings
• FanDuel
• Barstool
• Caesars
• PointsBet
• BetMGM

Sign up at PointsBet today!

When the soft launch occurred on September 1, 2022, six operators were allowed to launch, and one is pending.

Below is a chart showing the four retail casinos and their online platform partners.

*= not launched yet.

The History of Online Sports Betting in Kansas

As already mentioned, PASPA was overturned in 2018, and some states got to work faster than others. However, Kansas did initially try that year.

Below, we’ll look at everything from 2018 today.

2022

After years of trying vigorously, Kansas passed SB 84, and Governor Laura Kelly signed it. The bill was previously known as HB2470. She signed it on May 12, 2022, officially becoming law on July 1. The state had hoped for a September 8 launch in time for the NFL season, and it successfully did so.

BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings were among the first online sportsbooks to go live in the state during the soft launch on September 1.

2021

Once again, another bill was passed 26-12 in the Senate that would have allowed the four casinos to have three partners (this makes a return in 2022). However, the bill died in the House after a 77-40 vote.

Additionally, Governor Laura Kelly was against sports betting, though enough money coming into the lottery would have swayed her.

2020

Kansas passed SB 283, which allowed the four casinos to offer sports betting. A tax structure would have called for 7.5% on in-person wagers and 10% online.

The bill had support from the casinos, but gambling entities such as the horse and greyhound industries and non-operating racetracks opposed it.

However, according to Rep. Don Hineman, Governor Laura Kelly may not have signed that bill into law anyway.

Hineman said, “There will definitely be some changes on the House side. “I don’t expect the Senate bill to survive intact, especially because the administration is against it. It will at least have to be amended to open up the iLottery a bit to provide more of an online presence.”

2019

Due to the Kansas Constitution stating that the state itself must run any gambling, there was a hold-up in getting legislation done after positive signs in 2018. In Kansas, the state owns the four casinos and tried to pass a law for sports betting that would have included a 50% tax.

When these rumors arose, casino and sportsbook companies opposed it.

2018

Despite legalization not happening until 2022, Kansas held hearings on three separate bills. One of the bills would have allowed the Kansas Lottery to offer wagering at lottery retailers. Also, those bills mentioned an integrity fee, which would have been a tax on legal sports betting that would go directly to the leagues.

What Is the Future of Online Sports Betting in Kansas?

Now that online sports betting is legal and has officially launched, the future of sports betting in the state is an additional expansion.

Right now, six operators are approved to launch, and that could ramp up significantly during the NFL season, where operators make a large sum of their profit.

Kansas has crossed the finish line.

Is Betting on Fantasy Sports Legal in Kansas?

Yes, if you reside in Kansas you can engage in fantasy sports, including daily fantasy sports (DFS).

In 2015, the state passed HB 2155 making it legal to play.

Is There No Deposit Sports Betting in Kansas?

Of the six active operators right now, none currently offer a no-deposit bonus. These are the current offers for all six legal platforms.