Missouri sports wagerers have crossed into Kansas for nearly 3 years to position legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas residents may do the very same.

Key takeaways

- Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions until 2026, meaning possible regulatory changes that could impact its 6 legal operators after 2027.

- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting patterns as Kansas bettors might head east.

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

Kansas sports betting background
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Kansas introduced its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
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The ability to place legal bets in Kansas brings in bettors on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That could alter if Kansas lawmakers upend the present regulative structure. Sources inform Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state's sports betting tax income, 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 cope with as many as a lots books; if Kansas drastically cuts its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the reverse of the current pattern

The modifications could be as easy as a tax increase. It might also lead to a sole-source operator model some legislators are thinking about, one that could create more direct revenue for the state however potentially force out some or all of the 6 when their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed previously this month only puts a prohibition until 2026, implying Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets till their licenses expire the list below year. Lawmakers might not even think about a significant change to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, sports betting implying no perceptible effect for Sunflower State wagerers.

But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for dramatic modifications that didn't seem possible weeks back.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to launch

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 tally procedure 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 fourth quarter of 2025. There are also set to be almost two times as numerous wagering choices in Missouri as Kansas.
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FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally step. The two U.S. market share leaders have actually, as anticipated, announced strategies to take bets in Missouri once accredited.
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Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise announced launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.

Caesars, which opposed the ballot measure over license allotment issues, operates 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is qualified to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise operate Missouri casinos that give them immediate market gain access to.

Other books including Acid rock, live in Illinois, could also pursue one of roughly two-dozen possible Missouri sports wagering licenses.
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The wider range of Show Me State betting alternatives could draw in Kansas bettors in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of bettor traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces 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 advocates of the sports wagering tally measure, which might underscore citizens' interest in positioning bets in their home state once books go live.

Missouri's sports betting wagering lineup is unsure ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the ensuing years.
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