With Kansas sports betting aiming to launch this fall, sportsbooks are jostling for position.
The Kansas Speedway announced last week the Sept. 11 NASCAR Cup Series race is now the Hollywood Casino 400 presented by Barstool Sportsbook. Hollywood Casino is next to the track in Kansas City, Kan., and could have a temporary sportsbook open for KS sports betting by race day for NASCAR betting.
“This is an exciting step forward,” Kansas Speedway President Pat Warren said in the release. “The Barstool Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino will create opportunities to enhance fan interest and engagement, and we’re enthusiastic about the opportunity this presents.”
Potentially big weekend for Kansas sports betting
Kansas regulators are working toward a fall launch for sports betting, perhaps in time for NFL betting during Week 1. It would be a quick turnaround for the state, which legalized sports betting during the spring legislative session.
The sprint to open the market, however, is not unprecedented. Wyoming sports betting and Arizona sports betting both launched in time for Week 1 action last year after legislation passed in the spring.
The NFL regular season begins Sept. 8, on Thursday of that race weekend in Kansas City.
Hollywood Casino plans for Kansas sports betting
Hollywood Casino will open a temporary retail Barstool Sportsbook under its Turn 2 Sports Bar and Restaurant in September, pending regulatory approvals. Barstool also has mobile sports betting access through the Penn National Gaming property.
Construction on a permanent Barstool Sportsbook likely will begin in late August. That sportsbook will include a restaurant, fieldhouse games and access to a patio that overlooks Kansas Speedway.
“Our goal is to make this the best sportsbook in the Midwest,” Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway VP and General Manager Rick Skinner said in the release.
Barstool Sportsbook push for NASCAR
Kansas is not the first foray for the Barstool sports betting brand into NASCAR.
Last year, Barstool Sportsbook gained access to the Arizona market through the Phoenix Raceway. During the recent SBC Summit North America, a NASCAR executive said there are still plans for a retail Barstool Sportsbook at the track.
Penn National inked a deal with NASCAR in 2020.
