Missouri Sports Betting Launch could Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes
Missouri sports wagerers have crossed into Kansas for almost three years to put legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, Kansas homeowners might do the exact same.
bet9ja.com
Key takeaways
- Kansas lawmakers stopped brand-new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, hinting at possible regulative modifications that might affect its six legal operators after 2027.
- Missouri is set to release legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, potentially reversing cross-border betting trends as Kansas wagerers may head east.
- Future changes in Kansas might include a sole-operator model or tax hikes, impacting competition and motivating bettors to look for alternatives in Missouri.
Kansas sports wagering background
Kansas released its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.
The ability to place legal bets in Kansas attracts wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.
That could change if Kansas lawmakers upend the existing regulative structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state's sports betting tax income, among the lowest per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
Kansas' likely reconsideration of its sports wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes cope with as lots of as a lots books; if Kansas dramatically reduces its offerings, it might lead KS bettors to put bets in MO, the opposite of the existing pattern
The modifications could be as simple as a tax increase. It might also result in a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are thinking about, sports betting one that might produce more direct earnings 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' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers might not even consider a dramatic modification to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, suggesting no noticeable impact for Sunflower State wagerers.
But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for significant changes that didn't seem feasible weeks ago.
bet9ja.com
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 voters directly approved a tally step 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 4th quarter of 2025. There are also set to be nearly twice as lots of betting options in Missouri as Kansas.
bit.ly
FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally measure. The 2 U.S. market share leaders have, as expected, announced plans to take bets in Missouri when accredited.
Other books consisting of BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise revealed launch strategies. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and likewise plans to accept bets in the state.
bit.ly
Caesars, which opposed the tally step over license allotment concerns, operates three Missouri casinos and is eligible to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and sports betting Bally's (Bally Bet) also run Missouri casinos that give them instant market access.
bit.ly
Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could likewise pursue among approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports betting wagering licenses.
bit.ly
The larger range of Show Me State wagering choices could draw in Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City city location to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite direction. This could accelerate if the Sunflower State cuts its sportsbook roster, especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
Missouri citizens in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent advocates of the sports betting tally measure, which might underscore citizens' interest in putting bets in their home state when books go live.
Missouri's sports betting lineup is uncertain ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might alter too in the ensuing years.
bet9ja.com