Kansas

Since its launch in 2022, the sports betting market in Kansas has been steadily growing into a strong one. Currently, six mobile betting apps are available to complement the retail betting offered, and the number of online operators could increase over the coming years.

There aren’t many limitations regarding what Kansas bettors can wager on legally. Both professional and collegiate sports are available to bet on in the state, and residents even have the option to bet on in-state colleges.

Residents can also access daily fantasy sports apps. No law currently regulates DFS products in the state, but big-name operators can still offer services. Some of these operators include PrizePicks, OwnersBox, FanDuel DFS, DraftKings DFS, and Boom Fantasy.

With horse racing and greyhound racing also legally offered to bettors in KS, the two main things bettors in the state cannot wager on are politics and eSports.

The rise of drone racing: A new era of sports betting in Kansas?

With vast open landscapes and deep aviation history, Kansas could be an ideal location for the rise of drone racing as a betting sport. With plenty of wide, unobstructed spaces and a budding tech community, the state could position itself at the forefront of high-tech wagering.

Drone racing has swiftly transformed from a niche hobby into a competitive sport, where pilots navigate obstacle-heavy courses at high speeds using first-person view (FPV) technology. Professional leagues such as the Drone Racing League (DRL) have already attracted attention, and with advancements in automation and artificial intelligence, the likelihood of regulated betting markets continues to grow.

Kansas could capitalize on this trend by hosting large-scale drone racing events in its rural areas, where vast farmland and abandoned airstrips create the perfect setting for high-speed aerial competitions. With regulations in place, sportsbooks could provide bets on race outcomes, fastest laps, and even more markets. 

As drone technology advances, Kansas may be uniquely positioned to form the marriage between innovation and gambling, creating a new market for tech-savvy bettors and spectators alike.

Online sports betting in The Sunflower State

The push to legalize sports betting in Kansas came before the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018. Sports betting was a consistent topic of discussion in Kansas, but there were consistent problems and arguments on the matter starting in 2018. Early on, there was discourse on the tax rate, which the state’s lottery wanted to be 50%, which did not appeal to the casinos.

Even after the tax rate was figured out, the pandemic caused problems, and Governor Laura Kelly seemed to oppose the idea of legal sports betting, which gave lawmakers yet another hurdle to jump through. It wasn’t until 2022 that SB 84 was agreed upon by both the House and Senate, which allowed the law to be signed on May 12th. This timing worked out well for the state since it allowed the casinos to make partnerships, which gave way to the six online operators officially launching on September 1st of that year.

Before this groundbreaking decision, there were already ten casinos in the state, but initially, only the four that were regulated by the state had permission to partner with online operators. This allowed 12 online operators to enter the state market, but only six mobile sportsbook operators are currently active.

While six operators may not seem like a lot compared to other states with legal sports betting, residents in Kansas have access to the biggest names in the market right now. These sportsbooks include FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars, ESPN Bet, and the Fanatics Sportsbook (formerly PointsBet).

Thanks to a recent change in the bill that now allows tribal casinos to offer online sports betting, the market should only continue to grow, with more operators potentially entering the state during 2025.

All legal KS sports betting apps in 2025 (from newest to oldest):

Sports betting & gambling legislation in KS

The legal betting age in Kansas varies depending on what a customer wants to bet on. For online and retail sports betting, bettors must be 21 to place a legal wager. However, for horse racing and anything related to the lottery, residents can be 18 years old to participate.

Two governing bodies regulate gambling in the state. The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission oversees all advertisements for sports betting, while the Kansas Lottery is in charge of regulations and licenses.

The tax rate on gambling varies depending on income and tax bracket. For now, the tax scale ranges between 3.1% and 5.7%. The Kansas Lottery withholds a flat rate of 5% from all big gambling wins.

A state lottery is one way that Kansas has expanded its gambling market. While sports betting, in-person casinos, horse race betting apps, and the lottery are fully available, markets like online casinos and online poker remain illegal in Kansas, and there are no signs of that changing in the near future.

Tornado chase wagers: Betting on storm spotting outcomes

In Kansas, where the horizon stretches endlessly, storm chasing is both a thrill and a science. But what if, instead of just being a movie, it also became a betting opportunity? Tornado-chasing wagers could transform the adrenaline-pumping pursuit of twisters into a gamified experience through micro-wagers placed on real-time outcomes. Bettors could place bets on who spots the first funnel cloud of the day, which storm chaser vehicle gets the closest (safely), or which county registers the highest wind gust during a severe weather event.

With GPS tracking, radar overlays, and live streams already a part of the storm-chasing community, integrating a betting market wouldn’t seem far-fetched, especially with geofenced mobile apps. Kansas is already renowned for its position in Tornado Alley, which could leverage novelty markets like this to enhance digital engagement, boost tourism, and potentially increase seasonal revenue spikes.

If even a small fraction, say, 0.02%, of the state’s annual sports betting handle came from storm-chasing wagers, it could result in tens of thousands in wagers and tax revenue. Additionally, it would engage weather enthusiasts who may not otherwise be attracted to traditional sports betting.

The Sunflower Prop Series: Predicting bloom dates, heights, or pollinator visits across counties

Kansas has a golden opportunity to bring an unexpected twist to the betting world with the Sunflower Prop Series, a seasonal, novelty DFS concept built around the state’s iconic flower. Participants would “draft” Kansas counties based on historical bloom patterns, weather forecasts, and soil reports, earning points for various categories such as the earliest blooms, tallest sunflowers, or even most pollinator visits recorded during the growing season. All of this data is available from agricultural extensions and conservation groups, so contest results could be easily verified.

If marketed well, a sunflower-themed league could attract thousands of participants statewide, especially if paired with agricultural fairs or eco-tourism events. It’s betting, but instead of drafting players in helmets, customers would be betting on their local farmers to do what they do best.

Most recent updates from the KS sports betting scene

• April 14, 2025: Kansas online and mobile sportsbooks are safe through at least 2026 after lawmakers override a veto blocking license negotiations. Though licenses expire in 2027, a recent bill hints lawmakers may revisit the entire regulatory framework in next year's session, potentially reshaping the market's future.

• March 10, 2025: The Big 12 Tournament is set and the Kansas Jayhawks are (+1300) to win the title.

• February 24, 2025: With four games remaining in the regular season, the Kansas Jayhawks are (+950) to reach the Final Four.

• February 4, 2025: Even after beating them, the Kansas Jayhawks are still behind Iowa State on the odds board for the Big 12 Regular Season title. The Jayhawks are now (+3500).

• January 27, 2025: Fraudsters in Kansas impersonate casinos on social media, luring victims with fake $1,500 bonuses. With no legal online casinos in the state, some residents have unknowingly deposited money into fraudulent gambling sites.

• December 20, 2024: Heading into conference play, the Kansas Jayhawks basketball team has the third-best odds to win the Big 12 regular season title at (+380).

• December 9, 2024: Kansas State will play Rutgers in the Rate Bowl on December 26th. The Wildcats are currently (-7) point favorites.

• November 25, 2024: Looking for their 4th straight win and to clinch bowl eligibility, the Kansas Jayhawks will head to Baylor this weekend, where they are (+1) point underdogs.

In-person sports betting sites and locations

Kansas has ten casinos, six of which are tribal and four commercial. SB 84 officially became law on July 1, 2022, and the four commercial casinos, one of which was owned by the state, became legally allowed to partner with online operators and offer retail sports betting.

It took until May 2023 for the state to change the sports betting law to allow tribal casinos to offer online sports betting. As a result, the Prarie Band Casino & Resort became the first tribal casino in the state to open a retail sportsbook on January 4, 2024.

Kansas’ next big bet? Turning a ghost town into a gambling destination

Kansas is home to numerous abandoned frontier towns, echoes of the state’s Wild West history. But what if one of these ghost towns were brought back to life as a fully operational casino resort? The concept would include saloons, restored wooden storefronts, and high-stakes poker games, bringing an authentic Wild West gambling experience to bettors and tourists alike.

With Kansas already embracing casino gambling, turning an old town into a mix of gambling and historical tourism could be revolutionary. Visitors could stay in vintage-style hotels and enjoy classic casino games, which casinos in some places have been trying to emulate for a while through a theme. Instead of a theme, though, this would bring the bettor into the real thing. 

The concept presents challenges such as historic preservation, massive renovations, and legal approvals—but if successful, Kansas could lead the way in creating a unique gambling destination.

Sports betting in neighboring states

Two of the four states bordering Kansas offer legalized sports betting. Colorado and Nebraska offer some form of sports betting, while Missouri and Oklahoma, despite consistent efforts, are still struggling to pass a bill.

Click on the respective state below to get more information on what is offered in both CO and NE or to find out what is standing in the way of the other states passing a sports betting bill.

Sports betting revenue impact on Kansas' economy

2024 was the second full calendar year for the legal Kansas sports betting market, and the state has seen solid numbers when it comes to handle and revenue across the board. During 2024, KS bettors placed, on average, around $210 million worth of real-money wagers monthly, which roughly resulted in an average monthly revenue of $18.5 million and tax income of $1.1 million each month.

With recent legislation that allows tribal casinos to open sportsbooks, Kansas should continue to see gradual growth in monthly handle, revenue, and tax income. State's betting handle, revenue, and tax income totals from 2024 crossed the 2023 year's total figures already after the record-breaking November, and everything indicates that the KS betting market should keep growing in 2025 at a steady pace.

While the Kansas licensing fee is unknown, we do know that there is a 10% tax rate on retail and online betting, which is reasonable compared to the rest of the market. There are four commercial casinos across the state, each of which can partner with a maximum of three online operators.

However, a casino could partner with more online skins. For example, it can request another partnership through a state's pro sports team. In addition to online operators, casinos can partner with 50 retailers.

Kansas sports betting record months:

• Sports betting handle: January 2025 ($301,837,633)

• Revenue: February 2025 ($34,977,452)

• Tax income: November 2024 ($2,552,778)

Latest KS sports betting revenue report breakdown (March 2025)

• Total betting handle: $248,409,034

  • Online/mobile betting handle: $241,680,254

  • Retail betting handle: $6,728,781

• Winnings paid to players: $233,084,666

  • Hold: 6.17%

• Gross revenue: $15,324,368

  • Promotional deductions: $6,446,804

• Adjusted (taxable) revenue: $8,030,319

  • Revenue from mobile betting: $7,865,751

  • Revenue from retail wagering: $164,568

• Total tax revenue for the state: $803,032

Reported by the Kansas Lottery.

Top 6 online sportsbook apps in the state in March 2025:

1. DraftKings (Boot Hill)

   • Handle: $101.5m, Adj. revenue: $3.9m

2. FanDuel (Kansas Star)

   • Handle: $85.4m, Adj. revenue: $2.3m

3. BetMGM (KS Crossing)

   • Handle: $19.9m, Adj. revenue: $968,490

4. Fanatics Sportsbook (KS Crossing)

   • Handle: $15.0m, Adj. revenue: $31,430

5. Caesars Sportsbook (KS Crossing)

   • Handle: $9.7m, Adj. revenue: $592,279

6. ESPN BET (Hollywood Casino)

   • Handle: $10.1m, Adj. revenue: $103,555

The current KS mobile sportsbook apps market shares - Mar. 2025

Comparison: Kansas online sports betting market shares - Full 2024 year

Recent revenue report data - Compared to the previous year (YoY)

KS sports betting revenue in 2025

The following table shows how the Kansas sports betting market has evolved during the present 2025 year. The published data regarding betting handle, revenue, and state tax income are all gathered below, with the percentage indicating the change of such figures compared to the previous month.

2024 revenue data

Yearly revenue totals

How butter sculpture betting could create new income for Kansas sportsbooks

At the Kansas State Fair, butter sculpture competitions already attract crowds, but they could also create real profits for the state’s betting market. By legalizing novelty wagering on markets like “Most Lifelike Animal Sculpture,” Kansas could unlock a seasonal micro-betting market with a possibly legitimate fiscal impact. If just 0.1% of the state’s $1.85 billion annual betting handle came from butter-based novelty wagers, that would generate $1.85 million in additional wagers. At a 10% tax rate, that’s $185,000 in extra tax revenue from one state fair alone.

This kind of creative expansion could help Kansas' gambling portfolio stand out from other states while drawing more engagement during off-peak sports seasons. With sportsbooks rallying around culture-driven betting, Kansas can not only support local fairs but also confirm its position as an inventive, high-revenue gambling state in the Midwest.