It’s official! Regulated sports betting has come to Kansas, making them the 35th state to pass legislation to legalize the activity. Industry insiders believe that Kansas sports betting will be up and running in time for this years NFL season. The Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, run by Penn National Gaming, say they plan to launch retail and mobile sports betting the first day they are legally permitted.
Governor Laura Kelly signed the bill into law which found her desk just last month. The activity is expected to generate over $40 million within 5 years, and 80% of that revenue will go to the Kansas Department of Commerce which will create incentives for other pro sports teams to move to the state. Perhaps even the Kansas City Chiefs of the NFL who now play in Missouri.
Commenting on the new regulated sports betting law, Governor Kelly noted that “This is another mechanism that casinos, restaurants and other entertainment venues can now utilize to attract Kansans to their establishments.”
Under this new law, Native American Tribes and casinos run by the state will be allowed to operate sportsbooks. However, not everyone is happy about the new law. In fact, a lawsuit has already been filed by the Kansas Star Casino, a Boyd Gaming property located near Wichita, in relation to the inclusion of a dog racing track.
A section of the newly passed regulated sports betting law seeks to re-open a long-closed greyhound track, the Wichita Greyhound Park, in the vicinity of the casino. The property argues that doing so would be in violation of their agreement with the state to not permit competition in the Wichita area.