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

Key takeaways

- Kansas lawmakers stopped brand-new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, hinting at possible regulative changes that might impact its six legal operators after 2027.

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

- Future modifications in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator model or tax hikes, affecting competition and motivating wagerers 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 capability to place legal bets in Kansas attracts wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro location to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That could change if Kansas legislators upend the existing regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators wish to increase the state's sports betting wagering tax revenue, amongst the most affordable per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.

Kansas' likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as numerous as a dozen books; if Kansas dramatically cuts its offerings, it might lead KS bettors to put bets in MO, the reverse of the existing pattern

The changes could be as basic as a tax increase. It could likewise result in a sole-source operator design some legislators are thinking about, one that could produce more direct profits for the state but potentially displace some or all of the six existing sportsbooks as soon as their licenses expire 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 may not even consider a significant modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, suggesting no perceptible impact for Sunflower State gamblers.

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

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce

The Kansas move comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.

Missouri's multi-year sports wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, sports betting when voters directly 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 fourth quarter of 2025. There are likewise set to be almost two times as lots of betting choices 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 actually, as anticipated, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri when accredited.

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

Caesars, which opposed the ballot procedure over license allotment concerns, sports betting runs three Missouri casinos and is eligible to release its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) also operate Missouri gambling establishments that approve them instant market gain access to.

Other books including Hard Rock, live in Illinois, might likewise pursue among roughly two-dozen prospective Missouri sports betting wagering licenses.

The broader selection of Show Me State wagering options could attract Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to place bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite direction. This might speed up if the Sunflower State cuts its sportsbook lineup, especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri citizens in the Kansas City city were the most ardent fans of the sports betting tally procedure, which could underscore citizens' interest in positioning bets in their home state when books go live.

Missouri's sports betting lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks might change too in the taking place years.