Missouri sports wagerers have actually crossed into Kansas for nearly three years to place legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens may do the same.

Key takeaways

- Kansas legislators halted new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, meaning possible regulatory modifications that might affect its six legal operators after 2027.

- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, potentially reversing cross-border wagering patterns as Kansas gamblers might head east.

- Future changes in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator model or tax hikes, affecting competition and motivating bettors to seek options in Missouri.

Kansas sports betting wagering background

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

The capability to position legal bets in Kansas attracts bettors 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 overthrow the current regulative structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators want 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 six-book legal sports betting market next year will follow Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a dozen books; if Kansas considerably curtails 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 could likewise result in a sole-source operator sports betting model some lawmakers are thinking about, one that could generate more direct earnings for the state but possibly dislodge some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks as soon as their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month just positions a restriction till 2026, meaning Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets till their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even think about a remarkable modification to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, implying no perceptible impact for Sunflower State gamblers.

But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for dramatic modifications that didn't seem 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 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 betting 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 two times as lots of wagering alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally measure. The two U.S. market share leaders have, as anticipated, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri as soon as licensed.

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

Caesars, which opposed the tally procedure over license allotment concerns, operates three Missouri casinos and is eligible to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also operate Missouri casinos that give them instant market gain access to.

Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could likewise pursue among roughly two-dozen potential Missouri sports wagering licenses.

The wider selection of Show Me State wagering options might attract Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to place bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook lineup, especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

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

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