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

Key takeaways

- Kansas legislators stopped brand-new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, meaning possible regulative modifications that might affect its 6 legal operators after 2027.

- Missouri is set to release legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border wagering trends as Kansas wagerers may head east.

- Future modifications in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator sports betting model or tax walkings, affecting competitors and encouraging gamblers to look for options in Missouri.

Kansas sports wagering background

Kansas introduced its first legal mobile sportsbooks in 2022. Six books now take bets: BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, ESPN BET, Fanatics and FanDuel.

The ability to put legal bets in Kansas brings in gamblers 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 overthrow the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers want to increase the state's sports betting tax earnings, amongst the most affordable per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.

Kansas' most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes cope with as many as a dozen books; if Kansas dramatically curtails its offerings, it might 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 could likewise result in a sole-source operator design some lawmakers are thinking about, 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 only positions 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 dramatic modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no perceptible impact for Sunflower State wagerers.

But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for significant 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 wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when citizens directly authorized a tally measure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of unsuccessful efforts to legalize sports betting in the legislature.

Missouri's legal sportsbooks are set to start taking bets in the 4th quarter of 2025. There are likewise set to be nearly two times as numerous betting alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the ballot step. The 2 U.S. market share leaders have, as expected, revealed strategies to take bets in Missouri as soon as certified.

Other books consisting of BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog likewise announced launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and also prepares to accept bets in the state.

Caesars, which opposed the tally procedure over license allowance concerns, operates 3 Missouri casinos and is qualified to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also run Missouri gambling establishments that approve them immediate market gain access to.

Other books including Hard Rock, reside in Illinois, could likewise pursue one of approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports wagering licenses.

The broader selection of Show Me State betting options might bring in Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite instructions. This could accelerate if the Sunflower State curtails 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 supporters of the sports betting ballot step, which could underscore homeowners' interest in placing bets in their home state once books go live.

Missouri's sports betting lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might alter too in the ensuing years.