Missouri sports wagerers have crossed into Kansas for nearly 3 years to put legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas citizens may do the very same.

Key takeaways

- Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, hinting at possible regulative modifications that could 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 may head east.

- Future modifications in Kansas could consist of a sole-operator design or tax hikes, impacting competition and encouraging gamblers to seek 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 position legal bets in Kansas brings in wagerers on the Missouri side of the Kansas City metro location to Kansas to wager, with some doing so most or nearly every day of the week.

That might change if Kansas lawmakers overthrow the present regulative structure. Sources inform Covers some legislators wish to increase the state's sports wagering tax income, among the least expensive per capita of any of the 30 states with statewide legal mobile sportsbooks.

Kansas' likely reconsideration of its six-book legal sports betting wagering market next year will follow Missouri goes cope with as many as a dozen books; if Kansas considerably reduces its offerings, it could lead KS bettors to position bets in MO, the reverse of the current pattern

The modifications could be as simple as a tax increase. It could also result in a sole-source operator model some legislators are considering, one that might generate more direct income for the state however potentially force out some or all of the six existing sportsbooks as soon as their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed earlier this month only places a prohibition till 2026, suggesting Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even consider a significant modification to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, meaning no perceptible impact for Sunflower State wagerers.

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

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to release

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

Missouri's multi-year sports wagering legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters directly authorized a tally step to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of failed 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 likewise set to be almost two times as numerous wagering alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and sports betting DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally measure. The two U.S. market share leaders have, as expected, revealed strategies to take bets in Missouri when accredited.

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

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

Other books consisting of Acid rock, live in Illinois, might likewise pursue one of approximately two-dozen possible Missouri sports betting licenses.

The broader variety of Show Me State betting alternatives could bring in Kansas bettors in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of gambler traffic going the opposite instructions. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State reduces its sportsbook roster, specifically 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 wagering ballot step, which could highlight residents' interest in placing bets in their home state as soon as books go live.

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