Kansas Betting Sites
Kansas was one of the most recent states to launch legal sports betting, with six initial sportsbooks receiving licenses in September 2022. Our Kansas betting guide will tell you everything you need to know about the history of legal betting in the Sunflower State, the most popular sports, common bet types, and the best mobile apps.
Is Online Betting Legal in Kansas?
Kansas was supposed to be among the first states to legalize sports betting in 2019 after PASPA was overturned. It took a few tries for legislation to be written into law, with two senate motions blocked in 2020 and 2021. Governor Laura Kelly finally signed SB 84 into law, with the first sportsbooks launching in time for the new NFL season in early September.
At present, this legislation only covers sports betting, with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission not issuing licenses to online casinos. Consider using sweepstakes casinos instead if slots or live dealer games are your preference.
Popular Sports to Bet on in Kansas
Kansas bettors have access to odds on over 50 different global sports, although a handful of major US leagues and events generally claim the highest participation levels. Some of the main attractions at KS betting platforms include:
NFL
Kansas residents have had a particularly fruitful NFL experience over the past few years, with the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl in 2019 and 2022. Patrick Mahomes was the mastermind behind their most recent triumph, putting in a display that led most critics to label him as the best quarterback in the league. Betting sites in Kansas have a wealth of options available, with hundreds of betting markets on every game throughout the season.
NBA
While there aren’t any Kansas-based franchises in the NBA, the Sunflower State’s close proximity to the Denver Nuggets has led many basketball enthusiasts to adopt them as their own. This is especially true after the Nuggets won their first NBA Championship in 2023, with Nikola Jokic demonstrating the full breadth of his exceptional ball-playing abilities. Bettors enjoy 1,230 games throughout the season.
MLB
The Kansas City Royals are naturally the most popular MLB franchise in the state, offering top-tier baseball entertainment since their establishment in 1969. Bettors enjoy several benefits wagering on the MLB, with some notable highlights including the several thousands of games played over the relatively long season. Not only are you rarely left without baseball betting options, but sportsbooks also offer extensive markets and betting features on each game.
NHL
Kansas doesn’t currently have any teams in the NHL, the world’s most prestigious ice hockey league. However, the Denver Avalanche enjoy a strong support base in the state, especially after winning the Stanley Cup in 2022. Nathan MacKinnon is widely regarded as one of the league’s top players, rewarding prop bets on goals in particular. Thirty-two franchises play 82 games during the regular season – more than enough betting opportunities for even the most zealous ice hockey betting fans.
Horse Racing
Horse racing betting in the US has enjoyed a notable resurgence since the 2018 overturning of PASPA. The sport is epitomized by the Kentucky Derby — the Churchill Downs racing festival affectionately known as “The Run for The Roses”. Horse racing betting is a great option for parlay fans, with several daily races for most of the year. FanDuel recently added a dedicated horse racing section to its mobile betting app, making it one of the best operators for Kansas bettors.
Betting Markets Available in Kansas
You won’t have much luck at Kansas betting sites without appreciating how betting markets differ. Our experts clear things up below.
Moneyline
Understanding the moneyline betting concept is essential, as you’ll need to read these odds to understand the implied probability and potential payout. These bets refer to the winner of a game or event, with favorites having negative numbers and underdogs given positive ones. Here’s an example:
- Kansas City Chiefs: -350
- Cleveland Browns +150
The Chiefs are the favorites here, and you’d need to bet $350 to win $100. Conversely, a $100 on the Browns would pay $150 in profit.
Parlay
Parlay wagers are thrilling ways to combine several individual wagers under the same stake. All selected bets must be correct for a parlay to win, making them harder to successfully predict. The upshot is that the potential profit is multiplied by the odds of each leg. Typically, you can place up to 12 different bets in one parlay.
And don’t forget about same-game parlays, which are becoming increasingly sophisticated at the best platforms like DraftKings. These bet types allow you to create unique wagers with various in-game scenarios.
Over/Under
Over/under wagers require bettors to correctly predict whether the total number of in-game stats like points or touchdowns will be over or under the line set by sportsbooks. These are also called totals and refer to various team or player props.
Against the Spread (ATS)
Against the Spread bets is a more dynamic option than regular moneylines. Commonly referred to as spread betting, these wagers allow bettors to choose the margin of victory rather than the actual result. So, if you placed a bet on the Chiefs to beat the Cleveland Browns by +12.5, they would have to win by more than 13 points for the bet to win.
Betting Apps Available in Kansas
If you’re looking to enjoy sports betting options in Kansas, chances are you’ll be using one of the many top-rated mobile betting apps. These apps unlock several key benefits, streamlining the sports betting process and enabling users to place stakes on the move.
Additional selling points include a more convenient and secure login process, useful push notifications for bonus alerts, and easier payments with banking app integration. To get the most out of your mobile betting experience, consider using some of our main recommendations below:
- DraftKings Sportsbook KS App: Starting out as a leading Daily Fantasy League platform, DraftKings has earned a reputation for its first-rate sports betting platform since 2019. The mobile betting app is very well designed, using the same general layout as the browser website, but making clever alterations where necessary to account for smaller screens. The app scores an impressive 4.8 out of 5 rating on the App Store after over half a million reviews. Kansas bettors can’t get much better than the DraftKings Sportsbook app and should keep an eye out for regular mobile-specific promos on the Kansas City Chiefs and other local teams.
- Caesars Sportsbook KS App: The Caesars Sportsbook app has shot up in our estimations since the 2021 relaunch. The exhaustive and helpful customer support options are some of the main highlights, helping bettors get back to wagering soon after any concerns or queries. The Caesars Sportsbook app also has some of the most competitive odds in Kansas – a notable selling point. The bet $50 and get $250 in bonus bets welcome bonus is another favorable characteristic. New customers get a $50 free bet every week for a month, so you won’t be tempted to spend the entire bonus in one go either.
- BetMGM Sportsbook KS App: The BetMGM Sportsbook app is notable for offering Kansas bettors the largest welcome bonus on the market. New customers can enjoy up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first bet doesn’t win, a significantly higher amount than most competitors. Elsewhere, app users can score various ongoing promotions, including generous 50% profit boost tokens, regular free bets, parlays boosts, and more. The BetMGM app also has one of our favorite designs, with the operator striking a perfect balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Payment Methods Available at Kansas Betting Sites
Getting to grips with how each payment method can suit your betting preferences is fundamental before you deposit. Kansas bettors have numerous options available, from conventional online debit card payments to modern e-wallets and Open Banking solutions. Our experts highlight the main factors to consider with each popular banking method below.
Bank Cards
Sportsbook beginners and bettors who struggle with new technology may prefer using debit cards like Visa, Mastercard and Discover to make deposits or withdraw funds. These transactions enjoy a high level of protection from banking institutions, although they also force bettors into sharing card details. This can be a drawback for nervous online shoppers, although recent developments like ApplePay can streamline the process on mobile sportsbooks if you connect your bank card first.
e-Wallets
e-Wallets are increasingly geared towards online gambling fans, with options like PayPal, Venmo and Skrill offering an easier way to deposit and withdraw. Users only need to input a username and password to link their e-wallet account to their chosen sportsbook, removing the danger of sharing personal data with these platforms. These options also offer some of the fastest payment speeds, with withdrawals landing within an hour at sportsbooks with rapid processing. There aren’t many negatives to report, although many betting sites don’t allow for bonuses to be unlocked with e-wallet deposits.
Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards like Paysafecard and Play+ aren’t the most practical options on the market, but don’t let this put you off. These banking methods are arguably the best choices for budgeting, since users can’t deposit more than the predetermined amount on the voucher. Furthermore, the only information needed to complete prepaid card payments is the PIN code on the back.
Wire Transfer
Some bettors may write transfers off as the dinosaur in the room, but this doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Wire transfer depositors benefit from a tried and tested process that originated in the 19th century. High rollers depositing large amounts are the main beneficiaries of wire transfers, as they offer the biggest transaction limits. Just be aware that you may have to pay some extra fees for using this method. It’s also quite slow, so you’ll want to look elsewhere if you’re in a rush.
Kansas Betting Timeline
The Kansas betting timeline is longer than you might initially think. As mentioned earlier on this page, state legislators were poised to legalize online sports betting in 2019 but were delayed by various factors. Here’s a quick recap of the key moments:
- May 2018: PASPA revoked by the Supreme Court
- February 2020: The Kansas Senate passes SB 283, but the bill is ultimately blocked
- March 2021: The Senate passes bill 26-12 but is blocked by the house.
- May 2022: Governor Laura Kelly signs SB 84 into law.
- July 2022: Sports betting in Kansas is officially legalized.
- September 2022: The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission starts licensing sportsbooks, with BetMGM, FanDuel, and DraftKings launching on September 1st.
Compare Kansas Betting Sites and Sign Up
It took longer than expected, but Kansas sports bettors can finally enjoy wide access to all the best sportsbooks. We’ve delved deep into the KS sports betting scene to help gamblers in the Sunflower State find the best options. Read our reviews and use the odds comparison charts to find the optimal platform for your preferences. Afterwards, we highly recommend using our registration links to sign up and claim a welcome bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online betting legal in Kansas?
Yes. Online betting is legal in Kansas as of July 2022.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Kansas?
Yes. Bettors must pay between 5% and 24% tax on their gambling winnings depending on the total amount they win.
Are online casinos available in Kansas?
Online casinos aren't legal or regulated by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. We strongly warn against playing at licensed offshore platforms, since player safety is less guaranteed due to jurisdiction issues.
Where can I find support for gambling-related problems in Kansas?
Kansas bettors struggling with gambling-related problems can find vital help from organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling, Gamblers Anonymous, and GamCare.