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

Key takeaways

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

- Missouri is set to launch legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, potentially reversing cross-border wagering patterns as Kansas bettors may head east.

- Future changes in Kansas might include a sole-operator model or tax walkings, affecting competition and motivating gamblers to seek alternatives in Missouri.

Kansas sports wagering background

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

The ability to position legal bets in Kansas attracts gamblers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.

That could alter if Kansas legislators upend the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators want to increase the state's sports betting tax profits, amongst the least expensive 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 follow Missouri goes deal with as many as a lots books; if Kansas dramatically cuts its offerings, it might lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the reverse of the current pattern

The alterations could be as easy as a tax boost. It might also lead to a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are considering, one that could create more direct earnings for the state but 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 until 2026, meaning Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the list below year. Lawmakers might not even consider a significant change to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no noticeable impact for Sunflower State wagerers.

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

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce

The Kansas relocation 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 directly approved a ballot 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 nearly two times as numerous 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 actually, sports betting as expected, announced strategies to take bets in Missouri when certified.

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

Caesars, which opposed the ballot measure over license allocation concerns, runs 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is qualified to introduce its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise run Missouri casinos that grant them instant market access.

Other books consisting of Hard Rock, live in Illinois, might also pursue among roughly two-dozen prospective Missouri sports wagering licenses.

The larger range of Show Me State wagering choices could draw in Kansas bettors in the Kansas City city location to Missouri to put bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook roster, particularly if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri citizens in the Kansas City city were the most ardent supporters of the sports betting ballot procedure, which could underscore citizens' interest in placing bets in their home state once books go live.

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