Mobile Sports Betting Under Consideration in Kansas

Kansas could be next to legalize mobile sports betting if a bill introduced this week at the statehouse in Topeka wins approval.

Under House Bill 2740, wagering would be allowed on professional and collegiate sports, motor racing and other authorized events. Kansas Sports Betting would not be allowed on any event where a majority of participants are under age 18.

A hearing on HB2740 is set for 8 a.m. Tuesday in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee, Room 346-S.

Long Road Ahead

As with any bill, details could change during the legislative process.

Legislation requires approval in the 125-member state House of Representative and 40-member Senate before going to Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly for her consideration.

The legislative session is scheduled to end May 20.

12 Sports Betting Skins Possible

Under HB2740, interactive wagering would be conducted in accordance with the Kansas expanded lottery act.

Each gaming facility would be limited to three interactive sports betting platforms, known in the wagering industry as “skins.”

The Kansas Gaming and Racing Commission, headquartered in Topeka, regulates four casinos in the state.

These casinos are the Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City, the Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City and the Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel in Pittsburg.

Bill Allows Prop Bets and More

If approved in its current form, the bill would allow single-game wagers, teaser wagers, parlays and Over-Under wagers.

HB2740 also would permit moneyline wagers, pools, exchange wagering, in-game wagers, in-play wagers, proposition wagers and straight wagers.

Neighboring States Legalize Wagering

In recent weeks, legislation to legalize sports betting has popped up in two states that border Kansas. These are Missouri and Oklahoma.

Sports betting already is legal in Kansas’ neighbor to the west, Colorado, and is legal but not yet operational in another bordering state, Nebraska.

Nearby in Arkansas, mobile sports betting got underway earlier this month when Southland Casino in West Memphis launched its online Betly Sportsbook. The resort also made a Betly Sportsbook app available for Android users, with an iPhone app to come.

Arkansas’ two other casinos, Saracen and Oaklawn, are expected to launch mobile wagering apps soon. In-person betting is already allowed inside the three Arkansas casinos.

Sports Betting Growing Nationwide

Across the country, sports betting is legal in 30 states and Washington, D.C. It is legal but not yet operational in three additional states.

Sports betting is illegal in the nation’s three most-populous states, California, Texas and Florida. On-site and mobile sports betting are legal in the fourth most-populous state, New York.