Although it looks likely that Kansas will pass a sports betting bill in the future, sports betting is currently illegal in Kansas. As we can’t use this guide to offer you advice on the best Kansas online sportsbooks, we’ve instead focused on the current gambling options that are allowed in the state, as well as any gambling expansion bills that point towards legal sports betting in the future.
Until there are Kansas sports betting sites available to recommend, Kansas has plenty of other great gambling options. This includes full-scale casino gambling, off-track race betting, and the lottery. It may seem as though there are a number of online bookmakers ready to take sports bets in Kansas, but please be aware that these websites are illegal and we advise again signing up with them.
Current Kansas Sports Betting Situation
The current gambling laws may outlaw sports betting in Kansas, but pushes in both the Kansas House of Representatives and the Senate prove lawmakers are interested in legalizing sports betting. In fact, it seems as though the laws are less about convincing voters on whether sports betting should be legalized, but rather how it should be legalized. The Senate bill is currently looking at limiting sports bets to sportsbooks run by the state’s four state-owned casinos, with tribal casinos able to negotiate licenses.
The House bill would see the Kansas Lottery run sports betting. This would allow the states many lottery retailers to accept bets and permit them to activate players’ Kansas sports betting app accounts. The bill would also see that online lottery tickets are allowed and the proposed horse tracks could accept sports wagers too. Despite both bills being radically different, we are pleased to see that online sports betting is on the table, which could lead to the creation of some great Kansas sports betting sites.
It may seem as though offshore sites like Bovada are already amongst the best Kansas online sportsbooks available, but don’t be fooled by the accessibility of these sites. Offshore bookmakers are neither legal nor safe in KS as they have not been licensed. Kansas gaming law is very clear about the kinds of bets that are legal and who can offer them, and for the time being, betting at these sites is not a legal option.
Are Kansas Daily Fantasy Sports Apps Available
In a great number of states, daily fantasy sports (DFS) are allowed to exist within a legal gray area. This means that operators are able to accept players in markets that have not explicitly legalized or outlawed DFS without fear of breaking the law. Kansas is among a small number of states that have officially legalized DFS, making it a well-regulated and taxed activity in the state.
For those out of the loop, DFS are contests that require players to build teams from pools of athletes from professional sports leagues. Points are scored based on the real performances of the athletes during the specified round period, which usually takes between a day and a week to complete. At the end of each round, the players with the highest score take the prize pool, which is made up of the pooled entrance fees paid at the contest’s beginning.
Both FanDuel and DraftKings are operational in Kansas. Both of these websites are known for offering world-class sportsbooks as well to residents in legal betting states, but unfortunately, Kansas-based players will not be able to access these as Kansas online bookies. What they can enjoy, though, is DFS tournaments including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB leagues, as well as a number of college division leagues too.
Kansas Online Casinos
Kansas law is very clear about where casino gambling is allowed, and that is at its four state-run casinos and the seven tribal casinos dotted around the state. Outside of this, playing or offering casino-style gambling such as poker, blackjack, roulette in slots is a punishable offense, meaning online casinos are illegal in Kansas. For now stick to the established casino locations.
The closest thing to Kansas online gambling sites would either be DFS operators or social gaming platforms. These essentially offer casino games without charging players, therefore not breaking any gambling laws. At social casino sites, players bet with fake money. Occasionally, social casinos offer poker tournaments that award cash prizes despite not charging real cash to enter.
Online State Lottery in Kansas
As one of the most popular forms of gambling in the state, the lottery has been legal in KS since 1986. Since its creation, the Kansas Lottery has raised around $2 billion to fund state economic development initiatives including raising money for education and war veterans funds.
Players can buy tickets in-person from one of 1,200 licensed lottery retailers. Unfortunately, residents can not buy lottery tickets online. A current bill introduced by the House of Representatives seeks to change this, meaning that players could buy everything from Mega Millions tickets to online scratch cards through their desktop or mobile lottery portals.
Off Track Horse Betting in Kansas
Historically, Kansas has been home to a number of racing tracks, but a decline in popularity has seen all of them shut. Despite this, horse race gambling is still legal, though the lack of existing tracks has meant all bets must be wagered off-track. This can be done at a number of different locations, including all of the state’s casinos.
Along with the online lottery expansion initiative mentioned above, the same House bill seeks to give the green light for horse racing tracks to offer sportsbooks. Along with DFS, horse racing is currently the best sports betting alternative in Kansas, so it makes sense why sportsbooks would fit in with a new racetrack betting environment.
What Would a Legal Sports Betting Market in Kansas Look Like?
No matter which way lawmakers vote, we expect that mobile sports betting will be an integral part of a sports betting market in Kansas. This is great news for those hoping to make a profitable industry, with there being clear evidence to suggest that states that allow mobile betting in addition to in-person betting tend to earn much more.
According to a 2017 study commissioned by the American Gaming Association, Kansas could see $2.6 billion a year bet on sports. With proposed tax rates for sports bets ranging between 5.5% and 20% depending on the bill and wager type, this could theoretically see between $143 million and $520 million raised annually for local economic development initiatives.
There’s no reason to believe that Kansas sports betting sites won’t allow for bets on all major sports leagues, with college sports, the NFL, and baseball likely to be especially popular in the state. Some states even allow bets on esports tournaments such as League of Legends and Counter-Strike, which are steadily proving to be a booming industry.
In the case of legalization, the market will need to be regulated by a government agency. This could either be the Kansas Lottery or a new body entirely and would ensure that only the safest and best online betting sites are allowed to operate in the state. Sports betting legalization is the best way to guarantee bets are fair and that vulnerable players are protected. With such high demand in the state, the odds of new legal sportsbook sites look promising.
Final Thoughts
Kansas lawmakers are in a strange predicament in that they seem united on legalizing sports betting but divided on how it should be operated. Although this may delay the eventual launch of the legal sportsbook market, this evidently proves to us that the demand for legal Kansas sports betting sites is high and their creation is a realistic future outcome.
Until sports betting is legalized, we suggest gamblers in Kansas enjoy the many legal gaming options that are available in the state. This includes the lottery, DFS, off-track race betting, and casinos gambling. Be sure to visit this guide once legalization has happened to find advice on the best Kansas online sportsbooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s not uncommon for our readers to still have questions about the gambling laws and possible sports betting options available to them after reading our guides. To ensure you only stick to legal Kansas sports betting sites, we’ve answered some common questions about sports betting and gambling in the Sunflower State.
Is online casino gambling and sports betting legal in Kansas?
No, online casino gambling and sports betting is illegal in Kansas. The closest alternative to online gambling available to bettors is either free-to-play social games or DFS. The closest alternative to legal sports betting in Kansas is either DFS or off-track betting on racing.
What is the Kansas legal gambling age?
The minimum gambling age in Kansas depends on what legal gambling option gamblers wish to play. To buy a lottery ticket, sign up to DFS, wager on bingo or a charitable raffle, players must be over 18 years old. To gamble at casinos and wager on horse races, players must be over 21 years old.
Are unlicensed bookmaker sites safe?
No, unlicensed bookmaker sites are not safe. These bookmakers may appear to be trustworthy as they may allow players from Kansas without question, but don’t be fooled by this ease of access. The lack of a license means that they do not have to meet fairness or player protection standards.
Can I use off-shore or out-of-state internet betting sites to bet?
Although off-shore or out-of-state internet betting states may accept Kansas players, we advise against signing up to unlicensed bookmakers that don’t meet government sports betting regulations. In our expert opinion, websites that allow illegal players to bet aren’t trustworthy.
Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Kansas?
Kansas law declares that DraftKings and FanDuel can legally operate in the state. For the time being, neither of these websites are able to offer their premium online sportsbooks, but instead only offer Kansas residents their daily fantasy sports tournaments.
Do Kansas casinos have sportsbooks?
There are 11 casinos that operate in Kansas legally. They offer everything from slot machines to poker and roulette, though currently do not have sportsbooks. This will not change at least until the law is amended to allow for legal sports betting.