Sports betting should be arriving soon in Kansas as the legislation is set to convene on April 25th. A number of efforts were made in 2022 to launch sports betting in the Wheat State.
Kansas’ Strong Push for Sports Betting in 2022
Before the House advanced SB 84 in the early hours of April 2nd, the House passed a bill that allows casinos to operate and accept wagers on sports gambling. There is also a provision that dedicates 80 percent of the state’s sports betting tax revenue from the new business venture to be used towards financing a new sporting venue to attract a professional organization.
The late addition to the bill didn’t sit well with some representatives that supported the bill. The bill was almost sent back to the conference committee, which means that the bill could have lost traction and supporters.
The state has tried to legalize sports wagering for the last five years, and this year looks promising. However, there are a few more steps the state must take before being in the clear. In order for the effort to stay alive this year, the bill needs approval from the Senate to make it to Gov. Laura Kelly’s desk to be signed into law.
The Senate is Likely to Pass the Sports Betting Bill
The expansion of the sports betting industry in 2022 will make the launch of a legalized market more likely, with neighboring Missouri also in the mix of launching the operation. Experts believed that if one of these states launched first, the other would quickly follow.
The House had a close call, and the Senate ended up adjourning for its three-week veto break before discussing what to do with the bill. The Kansas Senate President, Ty Masterson, recently told a local radio station that the bill will pass.
Kansas will be a place where bettors will be able to place wagers throughout the year. According to a report, the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs might relocate from Missouri to Kansas, so the provision has been inserted for the possibility of funding a new venue in order to potentially attract the Chiefs.
Rep. Stephanie Clayton believes that the state could generate up to $10 million annually, which could be allocated to a general fund. The two states have been in a race of which state could launch the market first.
College of the Holy Cross Economics Professor Victor Matheson stated that attracting the Chiefs is “wildly stupid and destructive.” because many companies have switched back and forth in the past.
Matheson stated;
“It’s tempting to say it’s new revenue and it’s sports related, but that doesn’t make a difference,…No one is going to bet more on the Chiefs and Royals because they’re on this side or the other. It’s not like you can’t go to the games on either side.”
Projected Top Sportsbooks that Could Operate in Kansas
Sports betting tax for the operators will be a flat rate of ten percent. DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel, and Caesars will most likely be the most popular sportsbook platforms once the market launches as they
offer the best promotions like risk-free bets and deposit bonuses.
Bettors will be able to bet on different events throughout the year and ways to bet on games. Users will also be permitted to place wagers on college games as the state is home to programs like the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats.
