Missouri sports bettors have crossed into Kansas for nearly 3 years to put legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, Kansas locals may do the same.

Key takeaways

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

- Missouri is set to launch legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border betting trends as Kansas wagerers might head east.

- Future modifications in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator model or tax hikes, affecting competition and motivating bettors to look for sports betting alternatives 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 place legal bets in Kansas brings in bettors 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 change if Kansas legislators upend the current regulative structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state's sports betting wagering tax income, amongst the most affordable per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.
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Kansas' most likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports wagering market next year will come after Missouri goes deal with as lots of as a lots books; if Kansas drastically cuts its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the opposite of the present pattern
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The modifications could be as basic as a tax increase. It might also lead to a sole-source operator model some legislators are considering, one that could create more direct earnings for the state but possibly displace some or all of the six existing sportsbooks as soon as their licenses expire in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month only positions a restriction until 2026, implying Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses expire the following year. Lawmakers might not even think about a significant modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, implying no perceptible impact for Sunflower State wagerers.
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But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for significant changes that didn't appear possible weeks ago.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to launch
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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 approved a tally 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 begin taking bets in the fourth quarter of 2025. There are also set to be nearly two times as numerous betting options in Missouri as Kansas.
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FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally procedure. The two U.S. market share leaders have actually, as expected, revealed plans to take bets in Missouri once certified.

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

Caesars, which opposed the ballot procedure over license allotment issues, operates 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is eligible to launch its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise operate Missouri gambling establishments that give them instant market access.
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Other books consisting of Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could likewise pursue one of roughly two-dozen prospective Missouri sports licenses.

The wider variety of Show Me State wagering options might draw in Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City metro location to Missouri to put bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite direction. This could accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook lineup, especially if DraftKings and/or sports betting FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri voters in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent advocates of the sports betting ballot step, which could highlight residents' interest in putting bets in their home state once books go live.

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