Missouri Sports Betting Launch could Come Before Kansas Sportsbook Changes

Missouri sports betting gamblers have crossed into Kansas for almost 3 years to position legal sports bets. Three years from now, Kansas homeowners may do the same.

Key takeaways

– Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions till 2026, meaning possible regulative modifications that might affect its six legal operators after 2027.

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

– Future modifications in Kansas might consist of a sole-operator design or tax walkings, affecting competitors and encouraging wagerers to look for alternatives in Missouri.

Kansas sports wagering background

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

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

That could change if Kansas legislators overthrow the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some legislators want to increase the state’s sports betting tax profits, 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 betting market next year will follow Missouri goes deal with as many as a lots books; if Kansas drastically cuts its offerings, it might lead KS gamblers to put bets in MO, the reverse of the existing pattern

The modifications might be as easy as a tax increase. It could likewise lead to a sole-source operator design some legislators are considering, one that might produce more direct earnings for the state however possibly displace some or all of the 6 existing sportsbooks when their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed previously this month just puts a restriction till 2026, implying Kansas’ existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the following year. Lawmakers may not even consider a remarkable change to the regulative structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, indicating no noticeable impact for Sunflower State bettors.

But the license extension restriction leaves the possibility for dramatic modifications that didn’t appear possible weeks back.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce

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

Missouri’s multi-year sports betting legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when citizens narrowly authorized a tally measure to bring legal retail and online sportsbooks to the state. The vote followed years of unsuccessful efforts to legislate sports wagering 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 twice as many betting alternatives in Missouri as Kansas.

FanDuel and DraftKings contributed more than $30 million to support the tally procedure. The 2 U.S. market share have actually, as expected, revealed strategies to take bets in Missouri when accredited.

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

Caesars, which opposed the tally step over license allocation concerns, runs 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 run Missouri casinos that give them instant market access.

Other books including Hard Rock, reside in Illinois, might also pursue among roughly two-dozen potential Missouri sports betting licenses.

The wider selection of Show Me State betting alternatives could attract Kansas wagerers in the Kansas City metro location to Missouri to position bets, reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite instructions. This might accelerate if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, sports betting especially if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri voters in the Kansas City city were the most ardent fans of the sports wagering ballot step, which might underscore residents’ interest in placing 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 change too in the taking place years.