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

Key takeaways

- Kansas lawmakers stopped new sportsbook license extensions up until 2026, hinting at possible regulatory modifications 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 patterns as Kansas wagerers might head east.

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

Kansas sports betting background

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

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

That could alter if Kansas legislators upend the present regulatory structure. Sources tell Covers some lawmakers wish to increase the state's sports betting tax revenue, 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 live with as many as a dozen books; if Kansas dramatically reduces its offerings, it might lead KS gamblers to put bets in MO, the opposite of the present pattern

The modifications might be as basic as a tax increase. It could also result in a sole-source operator model some legislators are thinking about, one that could produce more direct revenue for the state but possibly dislodge some or all of the six existing sportsbooks once their licenses end in Aug. 2027.

The legislation passed previously this month only places a restriction till 2026, meaning Kansas' existing sportsbooks can take bets until their licenses end the list below year. Lawmakers might not even consider a remarkable change to the regulatory structure when they reconvene for the 2026 session, suggesting no noticeable impact for Sunflower State gamblers.
bet9ja.com
But the license extension prohibition leaves the possibility for remarkable modifications that didn't seem possible weeks back.

Missouri sportsbooks prepare to introduce
bet9ja.com
The Kansas relocation comes as Missouri nears the launch of its legal sportsbooks.
bet9ja.com
Missouri's multi-year sports betting legalization push ended in Nov. 2024, when voters directly approved a tally measure 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 almost two times as lots of betting options 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 plans to take bets in Missouri once licensed.
bet9ja.com
Other books including BetMGM, BetRivers and Underdog also revealed launch plans. Bet365 struck a handle MLB's St. Louis Cardinals and also prepares to accept bets in the state.
bit.ly
Caesars, which opposed the ballot measure over license allocation concerns, operates three Missouri gambling establishments and is eligible to introduce its online book in the state. Penn Entertainment (ESPN BET) and sports betting Bally's (Bally Bet) likewise operate Missouri casinos that grant them instant market access.

Other books including Acid rock, reside in Illinois, could also pursue among roughly two-dozen possible Missouri sports betting licenses.

The wider array of Show Me State wagering choices could draw in Kansas bettors in the Kansas City city area to Missouri to put bets, sports betting reversing years of wagerer traffic going the opposite direction. This could speed up if the Sunflower State curtails its sportsbook roster, specifically if DraftKings and/or FanDuel can no longer accept bets.

Missouri voters in the Kansas City metro were the most ardent fans of the sports wagering tally step, which might highlight locals' interest in placing bets in their home state when books go live.

Missouri's sports wagering lineup doubts ahead of the 2025 launch. Kansas' sportsbooks could alter too in the taking place years.