The Kansas legislature is working through a bill that could expand its sports betting landscape.
The Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs held a hearing Monday on SB 322, which would direct Gov. Laura Kelly to renegotiate gaming compacts with the state’s tribes. Commercial Kansas sports betting launched in September 2022.
The legislation would allow a Kansas gaming compact to open up sports betting beyond tribal boundaries, which could raise the question if the compacts violate the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA). Florida sports betting is on ice as courts sort out a similar issue.
Kansas sports betting pushes forward
Six online sportsbooks launched in Kansas Sept. 1, 2022, just in time for NFL betting.
Each of the four state-owned casinos can contract with up to three online sportsbooks. There are still six open skins in the state.
With the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl, KS sports betting revenue suffered, and the state collected just $1,134 in taxes. Through February, Kansas sportsbooks have taken $1.1 billion in wagers and generated $27.1 million in revenue.
Kansas tribal sports betting potential
The bill does not create new gaming in Kansas. The legislation allows the governor to negotiate new compacts to match existing gaming in the state.
Each tribe can request to include the newly allowed aspect to its compact. The legislative fiscal note said the effects of SB 322 are unknown.
SB 322 applies to:
- Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
- Kickapoo Tribe of Indians of the Kickapoo Reservation
- Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation in Kansas
- Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska
Neighboring states closing in on legalization?
The Oklahoma House advanced a sports betting bill earlier this month, but it would require additional tribal cooperation with Gov. Kevin Stitt to pass, according to industry sources.
In 2022, it appeared that Missouri and Kansas would race toward legalizing first. Ultimately, Missouri legislators failed to pass sports betting legislation last year.
This year, Missouri legislators are giving it another go. A House bill has crossed into the Senate, where it awaits familiar opposition.
