Kansas has witnessed a surge in sports betting popularity, especially following the legalization of online sportsbooks in 2022. As a result, many residents are now placing wagers on their preferred sporting events, trying to turn their passion into profit
Whether you’re into major league sports or local competitions, licensed Kansas sportsbooks have a variety of betting markets. On this page, we’ve compiled a regularly updated list of the best KS betting sites to help you find platforms that offer great promotions, odds, and features. Continue reading to check our top picks and find the sportsbook that best fits your style.
We don’t just list every Kansas betting site that we stumble upon. Our team of experts thoroughly examines all operators and ranks only the ones that meet our high standards. Below, we reveal the strict procedure we follow when reviewing sportsbooks.
Reputation and Trustworthiness
The first thing that we check is the operator’s reputation. We do this by doing deep online research. Our process involves reading countless bettor reviews and verifying their claims of fair play and smooth payments. This allows us to understand how trustworthy the platform really is.
Safety and Security
Next, we evaluate the platform’s security features. Here, we inspect if the operator owns a valid license issued by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC). After that, we make sure that it utilizes the latest 128-bit SSL encryption software.
Bonuses and Promotions
Our team then moves to the promotions section to check all available offers. This is where we read the T&Cs of every bonus to see if they are reasonable, including wagering requirements, validity period, max bet, and more.
Available Betting Markets
Lastly, we check out the betting options offered by the operator. At this stage, we access numerous events from different sports to check the variety in each category. A top sportsbook will have an extensive list of markets to choose from for prematch and live betting.
Sports Betting Laws and Regulations in Kansas
Watching major league games is a popular activity in Kansas. But is sports betting legal in Kansas? The answer is yes; although it took them a long time to legalize sports betting, it was finally done on May 12th, 2022.
After the Kansas Senate approved Bill SB 84, Governor Laura Kelly signed it into law, officially permitting retail, online, and mobile betting. The legislation came into effect on September 1st, 2022, followed by the launch of the first licensed sportsbook just a week later.
Today, Kansas residents can choose from a total of 6 legal operators. But, according to the bill, there can only be up to 12 licensed sports betting sites in this state. Moreover, only the four existing land-based casinos can operate physical sportsbooks and partner with up to three online platforms. These casinos are:
Kansas Star Casino
Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
Kansas Crossing Casino
Boot Hill Casino
These operators acquire licenses from the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC), which primarily focuses on horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering. Meanwhile, the Kansas Lottery is generally the state’s main regulatory body for online sports wagering.
It pays special attention to underage gambling on Kansas sports betting sites. According to the law, the legal betting age is 21 to play on these websites. The same age restriction also applies to physical sportsbooks.
Those eligible to register on gambling platforms can bet on all major sports competitions in the United States. However, the KRGC refuses to legalize sports betting on the following events:
Esports
Politics
Entertainment award ceremonies
Taxes for Sports Betting in Kansas
In Kansas, every licensed operator and bettor is required to pay taxes on any revenue from sports betting. Additionally, Online sportsbooks must spend a fixed amount to obtain their licenses.
The state taxes on online and retail sports betting are set at 10%. This percentage applies to the operator’s gambling revenue. Kansas residents who win a bet must pay a 5% tax on their net income.
Since 2022, Kansas sports betting tax revenue has reached $18 million. In the initial years of legalization, the state generated an income of $7 million, while the total Kansas sports betting handle across all sportsbooks amounted to $1.85 billion.
Betting Bonuses at KS Sportsbooks
On most Kansas online sports betting sites, you’ll find at least a few bonuses and promotions. These offers help you expand your betting experience and collect additional benefits. Operators use them to both attract new customers and satisfy the existing ones.
In addition, there are different types of Kansas sports betting promos. Each comes with unique attributes that you should know about. Below, we explain the most common types of betting bonuses.
Welcome Offers
This is the most common type of betting offer that you can claim. It only rewards newly registered patrons after they’ve made their first deposit. Welcome bonuses are a one-time promo, and bettors might receive one or multiple free bets or additional funds as a prize.
Risk-Free Bet Offers
Risk-free bets, also known as second chance bets, are quite popular on KS sports betting sites. These offers return the funds you spend on a losing wager. With such a bonus, you’re able to try out a new sport or an unfamiliar betting market. Operators like Caesars Sportsbook and DraftKings are known for offering them as part of their sign-up bonuses.
Deposit Bonuses
Next, we have another popular offer that requires a deposit. This promotion matches your initial deposit with a certain percentage, for example, a 100% match up to $500. It’s one of the most rewarding bonuses out there. However, they do come with wagering requirements and other terms.
No Deposit Offers
A highly sought-after betting offer that gives out a reward without requiring funds upfront. Such bonuses usually provide either extra funds or free bets. They are highly effective when they come as welcome promotions. But they usually come in smaller amounts and with stricter terms.
Loyalty Benefits
The best Kansas online sportsbooks offer incentives like loyalty or VIP programs. They design these schemes to reward their most frequent customers with exclusive bonuses and privileges. Bettors usually collect points to reach higher levels and unlock better benefits.
Popular Sports to Bet on at Kansas Sportsbooks
There are many sports attracting fans from Kansas. Many are US-based, with the state featuring several professional sports teams. Others are internationally renowned competitions that draw even larger global audiences.
However, certain sports stand out when it comes to betting online. Here’s a list of the most popular major leagues at Kansas bookmakers:
The National Football League (NFL)
We begin with football, a major sport in this state, thanks to the Kansas City Chiefs. This is the team that managed to win the previous two NFL championships. With such a big team competing at the highest level, it’s only natural for residents to bet on it regularly.
Many even place futures early on in the season as they feel confident in their team’s ability. Experienced sports bettors also engage in props on both the teams and players. These wagers increase the overall excitement while watching the NFL.
Some choose to wager at BetMGM sportsbook due to its partnership with the Kansas City Chiefs. However, this doesn’t mean that other KS sportsbooks don’t attract any bettors whatsoever. Certain operators even offer special bonuses for betting on a local team.
The National Basketball Association (NBA)
Kansas hasn’t had an NBA team since 1985, but this doesn’t mean fans don’t follow the featured events. Basketball is among the most watched sports in the state. Residents mostly cheer for the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Philadelphia 76ers.
Many of them even place bets on these teams week after week. Punters get to choose from a variety of betting markets, including moneyline, point spread, point totals, futures, props, and more. Many opt for the parlay system to go after bigger potential payouts.
Major League Baseball (MLB)
Next, we have baseball, another giant in the sports scene in Kansas. MLB events are by far the most-watched, especially when the Kansas City Royals are playing. This team managed to win the World Series Championship on two occasions.
Its most recent victory was in 2015, which is why fans remain hopeful for another championship in the near future. Some bettors back the Royals with futures on Kansas sports betting platforms. Some of these operators may even offer special bonuses on local MLB games.
Besides futures, sports bettors are also interested in placing player and team props. These betting markets are perfectly legal in Kansas and available at every online sportsbook.
The National Hockey League (NHL)
Despite not having a professional NHL team, hockey is another major sport in Kansas. Fans who live in Kansas usually follow the games played by the St. Louis Blues. This is a team located in the neighboring state of Missouri. Some even prefer cheering for the Colorado Avalanche or another NHL squad.
Watching hockey games isn’t the only affection for the fans, as they actively engage in wagering. The most attractive NHL event for betting in Kansas is the Stanley Cup, where punters usually bet on the nearby teams mentioned.
Many Kansas residents combine several games on a parlay bet to try and make a bigger profit. Some prefer simple bets like moneyline, puck line, over/under, futures, and more.
College Sports
College sports betting in Kansas is also legal, with no strict restrictions. This means that you can freely wager on any NCAA Division I event available at online bookmakers. Bettors are interested in local games from teams such as:
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas State Wildcats
Wichita State Shockers
These teams compete in many different sports but tend to play at the highest level in only a few. The most successful one is the Kansas Jayhawks, which managed to win four basketball championships.
If you live in Kansas, you can catch the Shockers competing in the same sport and division. On the other hand, the Wildcats are mostly famous in the NCAA Division I Bowl Subdivision (FBS).
Kansas bettors can place bets on these local teams across most markets, including moneyline, spreads, and over/under bets, though certain player prop bets for college athletes remain restricted.
Tennis Tournaments
Kansas bookmakers also feature sports that are popular not only in the US but also globally. Among the most famous is tennis, which has many popular events during the year. This, of course, includes all four Grand Slams and other famous tournaments.
Naturally, the most favored one is the US Open. They usually back tennis players that originate from the state. Sadly, there aren’t any top representatives from Kansas at the moment. Jack Sock was probably the best tennis player from Kansas, but he decided to retire in August 2023.
Punters generally use well-known markets like moneyline, over/under, and game spread. However, there are many that place futures, especially before the start of the top tournaments.
Local Sports Betting Partnerships
Most reputable sports wagering brands sponsor local teams to attract new customers. Such partnerships allow them to showcase their brand to thousands of fans while encouraging trust and loyalty. Kansas teams are no exception, with the most notable partnership between the Kansas City Chiefs and BetMGM.
Brand presence at the stadium; sports betting content across the team’s digital channels.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Kansas
Kansas legalized daily fantasy sports (DFS) in 2015, allowing punters aged 18 or older to participate. They can engage in this activity on some KS online sports betting sites or platforms that offer DFS.
DFS allows you to compete with other players and friends in the biggest sports competitions, such as the NBA, NFL, MLB, and the NHL.
You can engage in daily or weekly contests or a league format. Either way, you’ll receive a salary cap to pick players for your team, including some popular names from your local Kansas teams.
However, keep in mind that the best players come with a bigger salary. This means that you cannot choose all of them for your team. You’ll need to shuffle between in-form top players and less skillful ones.
Based on your selection, you will earn points. The system rates them according to individual player performances. The bigger your score, the higher your position on the leaderboard. Popular DFS platforms such as Fanduel and Caesars Sportsbook offer cash prizes, official merchandise, and more to participants in Daily Fantast sports contests.
Online Sports Betting Apps in Kansas
Apart from online betting on a desktop or mobile browser, you can also place bets via mobile apps. These are unique smartphone applications developed by top sportsbooks.
The best sports betting apps in Kansas are always available to iOS and Android users. You can easily find them on the App Store or Google Play Store. Operators will also provide links or QR codes that lead to the download link, making things easier.
Using Kansas betting apps will save a lot of time compared to using a browser. Simply install the app on your device, and with just one touch of the screen, start placing bets anytime, anywhere.
Further, these applications usually have the same services and options as desktop versions. This includes all available sports, betting markets, payment methods, bonuses, and more. In fact, some operators may even encourage mobile sports betting by offering exclusive bonuses.
Getting Started with Kansas Sports Betting Sites
Placing a bet with real money in Kansas isn’t a hard thing to do. It only requires a few simple steps, which may take a few minutes. If you need assistance, feel free to follow these steps:
Join a sportsbook: Choose an operator from our top-rated KS betting sites and register an account. You’ll also need to complete the verification process.
Make a deposit: Access your account and go to the cashier section. There, you should pick a payment method, type an amount, and confirm the transaction.
Pick an event: Next, go to the sports section and explore the available categories and events. Make sure to analyze multiple games before choosing one.
Select a betting market: Analyze the available markets and pick one. It’s important to select something that you understand well.
Confirm the bet: Lastly, type the amount you want to place on the bet and conclude the wager. Now, you can sit back and wait for the event to begin.
Bet Smart and Win Big on KS Sportsbooks
Despite being fairly new on the market, Kansas sports betting sites are steadily building a tradition in the state. Residents can wager on the biggest sports leagues in the US and the world on these platforms.
Moreover, the best operators ensure extra value for new and returning players through promotions with exclusive promo codes while implementing robust security measures. In the state of Kansas, both retail and online sports betting are on the rise, with names like BetMGM, DraftKings, and Fanduel Sportsbook leading the race. However, as more sportsbooks launch in Kansas, the competition will continue to grow, making it essential to find reliable platforms.
The best way to find such online sportsbooks is by checking our top picks, which have been thoroughly tested for key attributes, reputation, and trustworthiness, ensuring you only bet with the best.
Kansas Sports Betting FAQs
Yes, Sports betting is legal in Kansas after Bill SB 84 was approved by the Kansas House on May 12th, 2022, permitting mobile, retail, and online betting in Kansas. However, the first platform for online sports betting launched on September 1st, 2022.
Yes, there are several platforms available for mobile sports betting in Kansas. You can find bookmakers on our list of the best sports betting apps in KS.
Yes, the best Kansas sportsbooks have a sign-up offer. Usually, you can claim this bonus with your first deposit on the platform. Be sure to check each sportsbook’s terms to get the best value from their sign-up offers.
Yes, college sports are available to bet on in Kansas. The most popular options include basketball, football, hockey, and baseball.
No, esports betting isn’t available in Kansas. The KRGC prohibits esports wagering due to the nature of this sport, which attracts a lot of underage individuals.
Only individuals at least 21 years old can legally participate in sports betting in the state.
Yes, future and prop bets are legal and available on most Kansas sports betting sites.
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