Missouri Sports Betting Launch might Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes

Missouri sports betting bettors have crossed into Kansas for almost 3 years to put legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, sports betting Kansas locals might do the same.

Key takeaways

– Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, hinting at possible that could impact its 6 legal operators after 2027.

– Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border wagering trends as Kansas gamblers may head east.

– Future changes in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator design or tax hikes, impacting competition and motivating bettors to seek alternatives in Missouri.

Kansas sports wagering background

Kansas launched its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, sports betting Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, sports betting Fanatics and FanDuel.

The capability to put legal bets in Kansas draws in wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City city area to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That might change if Kansas legislators upend the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state’s sports betting tax earnings, among the most affordable per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.

Kansas’ most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a dozen books; if Kansas considerably curtails its offerings, it might lead KS wagerers to position bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern

The modifications could be as easy as a tax increase. It could also lead to a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are considering, one that could create more direct income for sports betting 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 just puts a prohibition up until 2026, meaning Kansas’ current sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers might not even consider a significant change to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, implying no noticeable impact for Sunflower State gamblers.

But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for dramatic modifications that didn’t seem feasible weeks ago.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to release

The Kansas move comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.

Missouri’s multi-year sports betting wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when citizens narrowly approved a ballot procedure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed efforts to legalize sports wagering in the legislature.

Missouri’s legal sportsbooks are set to begin taking bets in the fourth quarter of 2025. There are also set to be nearly two times as many betting choices in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally procedure. The 2 U.S. market share leaders have actually, as anticipated, revealed strategies to take bets in Missouri as soon as accredited.

Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise revealed launch strategies. Bet365 struck an offer with MLB’s St. Louis Cardinals and also plans to accept bets in the state.

Caesars, sports betting which opposed the ballot measure over license allowance issues, runs 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is eligible to introduce its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally’s (Bally Bet) likewise run Missouri casinos that approve them instant market gain access to.

Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, might likewise pursue one of approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports wagering licenses.

The broader selection of Show Me State betting alternatives might attract Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite direction. This could speed up if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri voters in the Kansas City city were the most ardent supporters of the sports betting tally measure, which could underscore residents’ interest in positioning bets in their home state as soon as books go live.

Missouri’s sports wagering lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas’ sportsbooks might change too in the occurring years.