Missouri sports gamblers have crossed into Kansas for almost three years to place legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens may do the very same.

Key takeaways
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- Kansas legislators stopped brand-new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, hinting at possible regulatory modifications that might impact its six legal operators after 2027.
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- Missouri is set to launch legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, sports betting potentially reversing cross-border trends as Kansas bettors may head east.
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- Future changes in Kansas might include a sole-operator design or tax hikes, affecting competitors and encouraging wagerers to seek options in Missouri.

Kansas sports betting background

Kansas released 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 capability to position legal bets in Kansas draws in wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City city location to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That could alter if Kansas lawmakers upend the current regulatory structure. Sources inform Covers some lawmakers want to increase the state's sports betting tax income, amongst the lowest per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
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Kansas' likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting market next year will follow Missouri goes live with as many as a lots books; if Kansas significantly reduces its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern

The changes could be as simple as a tax increase. It might also lead to a sole-source operator design some legislators are thinking about, one that might create more direct revenue for the state but possibly require out some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks when their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month only places a prohibition until 2026, implying Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets up until their licenses expire the list below year. Lawmakers may not even consider a remarkable change to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, meaning no noticeable effect for Sunflower State bettors.

But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for remarkable changes that didn't appear feasible weeks ago.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce

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

Missouri's multi-year sports betting legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when citizens narrowly authorized a tally procedure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of unsuccessful efforts to legalize sports wagering in the legislature.
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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 lots of betting alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot measure. The two U.S. market share leaders have, as anticipated, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri when accredited.
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Other books consisting of BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise announced launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and also plans to accept bets in the state.

Caesars, sports betting which opposed the tally step over license allowance issues, operates three Missouri casinos and is eligible to introduce its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise operate Missouri gambling establishments that give them instant market gain access to.

Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could also pursue one of roughly two-dozen possible Missouri sports betting licenses.

The wider range of Show Me State betting options could attract Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City metro location to Missouri to place bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite instructions. This could speed up if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, particularly 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 ballot step, which could highlight citizens' interest in putting bets in their home state once books go live.

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