Missouri Sports Betting Launch could Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes

Missouri sports gamblers have crossed into Kansas for almost 3 years to position legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens might do the very same.

Key takeaways

– Kansas lawmakers halted new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, meaning possible regulative changes that might impact its six legal operators after 2027.

– Missouri is set to release legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border wagering patterns as Kansas bettors might head east.

– Future changes in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator model or tax walkings, affecting competitors and encouraging wagerers to seek options in Missouri.

Kansas sports betting background

Kansas launched its 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 brings in gamblers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City city location to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That could alter if Kansas legislators overthrow the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state’s sports wagering tax profits, among the lowest per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.

Kansas’ most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting market next year will follow Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a lots books; if Kansas dramatically curtails its offerings, it might lead KS gamblers to position bets in MO, the of the current pattern

The modifications might be as basic as a tax boost. It could also result in a sole-source operator model some lawmakers are thinking about, one that could produce more direct income for the state but possibly force out some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks when their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month only positions a restriction up until 2026, indicating Kansas’ existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even consider a remarkable modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no perceptible effect for Sunflower State bettors.

But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for significant changes that didn’t seem possible weeks back.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to release

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 citizens narrowly authorized a tally measure 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 4th quarter of 2025. There are also set to be almost two times as many betting alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

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

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

Caesars, which opposed the tally procedure over license allocation concerns, runs three Missouri gambling establishments and sports betting is qualified to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally’s (Bally Bet) also run Missouri casinos that give them immediate market gain access to.

Other books consisting of Hard Rock, live in Illinois, could also pursue one of approximately two-dozen prospective Missouri sports wagering licenses.

The broader array of Show Me State betting choices could attract Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City city location to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite instructions. This could speed up if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook roster, specifically 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 wagering tally step, which might highlight residents’ interest in putting bets in their home state as soon as books go live.

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