Missouri sports betting bettors have actually crossed into Kansas for almost 3 years to position legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens may do the exact same.

Key takeaways

- Kansas lawmakers halted new sportsbook license extensions until 2026, hinting at possible regulatory changes that might impact its six legal operators after 2027.
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- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, potentially reversing cross-border wagering trends as Kansas bettors might head east.

- Future modifications in Kansas could include a sole-operator sports betting design or tax hikes, affecting competition and motivating wagerers to seek alternatives in Missouri.

Kansas sports betting wagering 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 ability to place legal bets in Kansas brings in bettors on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.

That could alter if Kansas lawmakers upend the existing regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators want to increase the state's sports betting tax revenue, among 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 wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as lots of as a lots books; if Kansas dramatically curtails its offerings, it could lead KS gamblers to position bets in MO, the opposite of the present pattern
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The modifications could be as basic as a tax increase. It could also lead to a sole-source operator design some legislators are considering, one that could create more direct profits for the state but possibly dislodge some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks once their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month only puts a prohibition until 2026, suggesting Kansas' current sportsbooks can take bets till their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even think about a dramatic change to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no noticeable effect for Sunflower State bettors.

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

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

Missouri's multi-year sports wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters directly approved a tally step to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of unsuccessful efforts to legislate sports wagering in the legislature.
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Missouri's legal sportsbooks are set to begin taking bets in the fourth quarter of 2025. There are likewise set to be almost two times as many wagering choices in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot measure. The 2 U.S. market share have, as expected, announced plans to take bets in Missouri once certified.
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Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise revealed launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise prepares to accept bets in the state.
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Caesars, which opposed the tally procedure over license allowance concerns, runs three 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 gambling establishments that grant them instant market gain access to.

Other books including Hard Rock, live in Illinois, could likewise pursue one of approximately two-dozen potential Missouri sports betting licenses.

The broader range of Show Me State betting alternatives might attract Kansas bettors in the Kansas City city location to Missouri to place bets, reversing years of gambler 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 voters in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent fans of the sports betting wagering ballot step, which could underscore locals' interest in putting bets in their home state once books go live.

Missouri's sports wagering lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks could alter too in the taking place years.