Missouri sports wagerers have actually crossed into Kansas for almost three years to put legal sports betting bets. Three years from now, Kansas residents may do the same.

Key takeaways

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

- Missouri is set to introduce legal mobile sportsbooks in late 2025, possibly reversing cross-border wagering patterns as Kansas wagerers may head east.
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- Future changes in Kansas might include a sole-operator model or tax hikes, affecting competitors and encouraging wagerers to seek options in Missouri.

Kansas sports betting background

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

The capability to put legal bets in Kansas brings in wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro area to Kansas to bet, with some doing so most or almost every day of the week.

That could change if upend the current regulatory structure. Sources inform Covers some legislators desire to increase the state's sports wagering tax profits, amongst the most affordable 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 live with as lots of as a dozen books; if Kansas drastically cuts its offerings, it could lead KS wagerers to place bets in MO, the opposite of the current pattern
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The alterations could be as simple as a tax increase. It could also lead to a sole-source operator model some legislators are thinking about, one that might create more direct income for the state but possibly dislodge some or all of the six existing sportsbooks once their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month just puts a restriction up until 2026, suggesting Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers might not even consider a dramatic modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, meaning no noticeable effect for Sunflower State wagerers.
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But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for dramatic modifications that didn't appear practical weeks back.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to launch

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, when citizens narrowly approved a tally measure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed efforts to legalize sports betting in the legislature.
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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 many wagering choices 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 actually, as expected, revealed strategies to take bets in Missouri as soon as accredited.

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

Caesars, which opposed the ballot procedure over license allocation issues, operates 3 Missouri gambling establishments and is qualified to release its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise operate Missouri casinos that approve them immediate market gain access to.

Other books including Hard Rock, reside in Illinois, might likewise pursue one of roughly two-dozen potential Missouri sports betting wagering licenses.
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The broader selection of Show Me State betting alternatives could draw in Kansas gamblers in the Kansas City metro area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite direction. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, particularly if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.
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Missouri voters in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent fans of the sports wagering ballot measure, which could highlight locals' interest in positioning 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 alter too in the ensuing years.