Missouri sports bettors have actually crossed into Kansas for nearly 3 years to put legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas locals might do the same.
Key takeaways
- Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, hinting at possible regulative changes that could affect its six legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting patterns as Kansas gamblers might head east.
- Future modifications in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator model or tax hikes, affecting competitors and motivating wagerers to seek options in Missouri.
Kansas sports wagering background
Kansas launched its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The capability to put legal bets in Kansas attracts gamblers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City city location to Kansas to bet, sports betting with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.
That might change if Kansas lawmakers upend the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators wish 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.
Kansas' likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a dozen books; if Kansas significantly curtails its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern
The modifications might be as simple as a tax boost. It might also result in a sole-source operator design some legislators are considering, one that could produce more direct revenue for the state however possibly dislodge some or all of the six existing sportsbooks once their licenses end in Aug. 2027.
The legislation passed previously this month just puts a restriction up until 2026, indicating Kansas' current sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the list below year. Lawmakers may not even consider a dramatic modification to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, implying no perceptible impact for Sunflower State gamblers.
But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for significant changes that didn't seem feasible weeks back.
Missouri sportsbooks prepare to launch
The Kansas relocation comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.
Missouri's multi-year sports betting wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters narrowly authorized a tally step to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of unsuccessful efforts to legislate 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 many betting choices in Missouri as Kansas.
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot measure. The 2 U.S. market share leaders have, as expected, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri when licensed.
Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog also revealed launch strategies. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.
Caesars, which opposed the ballot step over license allowance concerns, runs 3 Missouri casinos and is eligible to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also run Missouri casinos that give them immediate market access.
Other books consisting of Hard Rock, live in Illinois, might also pursue among approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports betting wagering licenses.
The wider selection of Show Me State wagering choices could bring in Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of bettor traffic going the opposite direction. This could accelerate if the Sunflower State cuts its sportsbook roster, specifically if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
Missouri citizens in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent fans of the sports wagering tally measure, which could highlight residents' interest in placing bets in their home state when books go live.
Missouri's sports betting wagering lineup is unpredictable ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the taking place years.
