Kansas sports betting became legal and live on September 1, 2022, just in time for the 2022-2023 NFL season. Now sports fans in the Sunflower State have the ability to wager on their favorite teams and players.
Sports betting in Kansas is still in its infancy but many of the top sports betting sites are already operational in the state and the market is growing quickly. Here are the top five sports betting apps available in Kansas and how you can get started.
- DraftKings Sportsbook – Best overall Kansas sports betting app
- BetMGM – Best sports betting user rewards program in Kansas
- Caesars Sportsbook – Best daily odds boosts and enhanced betting odds
- FanDuel Sportsbook – Best parlay prop betting market
- PointsBet – Best new user promo, get 5 second chance bets
Is Online Sports Betting Legal in Kansas?
Yes, online sports betting is legal and online in the state of Kansas. The action kicked off in September 2022 with the state taking its first bets and a number of other top sportsbooks have entered the market since then. Sports fans in Kansas now have access to many of the best US sportsbooks in the country.
Best Online Sports Betting Sites in Kansas
BetMGM Sportsbook, FanDuel, and DraftKings rank among the best online sports betting sites available in Kansas. Alongside these three are some more of the most popular options from around the country. Here are the Kansas sportsbooks that are currently available:
1. DraftKings Sportsbook
- Tech partner: DraftKings
- Kansas partner: Boot Hill Casino
DraftKings Sportsbook is the online sports betting arm of daily fantasy sports giant DraftKings. If you’re in Kansas and looking for a top-notch sports betting experience, you can’t go wrong with DraftKings Sportsbook.
With its easy-to-use platform and competitive odds, DraftKings is a great choice for experienced bettors and newcomers. Best of all, DraftKings offers the best new user bonuses with its easy-to-win odds boost bonuses. Start your Kansas sports betting journey on the right foot with DraftKings sports betting app today
2. BetMGM Sportsbook
- Tech partner: Entain
- Kansas partner: Kansas Crossing Casino
BetMGM entered the Kansas sports betting market with a license agreement with the Kansas Star Casino and is available now. BetMGM is one of the most popular online sports betting sites in the US, offering a wide range of betting markets on everything you can think of, from football to basketball to lesser-followed sports like cricket.
The website and the mobile betting app are easy to use and offer plenty of features to keep bettors engaged including live streaming, parlay insurance, and early cash-out options. BetMGM also offers a generous welcome bonus for new customers, making it an attractive option for those looking to get started in online sports betting. BetMGM is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly sports betting experience and you can get started with this great welcome bonus:
3. Caesars Sportsbook
- Tech partner: William Hill
- Kansas partner: Kansas Crossing Casino
The sportsbook built for an emperor is now live in the great state of Kansas. While there are many online sports betting apps to choose from, few can match the variety, convenience and daily odds boosts offered by Caesars Sportsbook.
Caesars Sportsbook is a great choice for both casual and serious sports bettors as it offers generous bonuses and promotions to new and existing customers. It has a rewards program that can be redeemed both with Caesars Sportsbook and Caesars-operated casinos and resorts, which you can start building up today.
4. FanDuel Sportsbook
- Tech partner: FanDuel
- Kansas partner: Kansas Star Casino
FanDuel Sportsbook was the first online sports betting sites to open in New Jersey in September 2018, and four years later it was one of the first to launch in Kansas. Since coming online in 2018, it has become one of the most popular sportsbooks in the US thanks to its extensive prop betting market and same game parlays.
FanDuel Sportsbook offers bets on all major US sports and just about every international betting market you can think of. It also provides a good selection of prop bets and live betting markets. It’s also a great option for new sports bettors thanks to its great usability, extensive banking options, and great welcome bonus:
5. PointsBet
- Tech partner: PointsBet
- Retail partner: Kansas Crossing Casino
Launched in 2017, this Australian-based bookmaker has quickly established itself as a top choice for sports bettors in the US. In addition to traditional bets such as money lines and spreads, PointsBet also offers unique products like Points Betting, which allows you to win (or lose) a multiplier of your original stake based on how right or wrong you are about the margin of victory.
PointsBet is designed to be a fun experience for sports bettors, even beyond betting on your favorite teams. Features like the Karma Kommittee and the ability to request new markets makes it a uniquely engaging experience.
How to bet on sports in Kansas?
Kansas sports fans can get started on sports betting by clicking on one of the links and starting the sign-up process.
The process of registering for a sports betting site isn’t difficult in the state of Kansas, and will largely be familiar to anyone who has created accounts with digital retailers. Click on one of the links above, visit the site, and hit “join” or “register.” It’s encouraged that you do this through a browser to ensure that you can secure your welcome bonus.
The betting app will then call for the submission of some personal information. Be sure to include accurate information in order to guarantee your account’s security. Once you submit your personal information, verify the account’s creation.
After the account is made, the next step is to make a deposit. A deposit adds the necessary funds to your account to place wagers. It’s often the final step in securing a Kansas sportsbook bonus as well.
Each sportsbook has its own lineup of deposit methods. Credit and debit cards are accepted by all major sportsbooks but some may require the use of another service in order to move the funds. PayPal, Venmo, and e-checks are utilized by some as well. Direct bank transfers may also be accepted with some sportsbooks.
Deposits using cash are also possible with some sportsbook apps. The best way to do this is visiting the cashiers at a retail sportsbook. For example, you should be able to make a deposit onto your DraftKings Sportsbook account through a retail sportsbook operated by DraftKings. The PayNearMe service also allows for cash deposits with some sportsbooks. Retail chains including Family Dollar, Walmart, and CVS Pharmacy allow bettors to essentially purchase a gift certificate that can be redeemed through sportsbooks.
Once you make your deposit, opt into any interesting promos and welcome bonuses and start betting! Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the process.
- Click on one of the links above for a legal Kansas sports betting app
- Start the sign-up process and create an account through your browser
- Create account and verify its creation
- Make a deposit through one of the sportsbook’s accepted payment methods
- Opt into any promos you’d like to take part in
- Start betting!
Where to bet on sports in Kansas
Yes, retail sports betting is live in the state of Kansas. Several retail casinos in the state are permitted to offer in-person sports betting on their premises. Some of these retail sports betting sites have opened already while some are currently under construction. Here’s what is available in Kansas when it comes to retail sports betting:
DraftKings Sportsbook at Boot Hill Casino
- Location: 4000 W Comanche St, Dodge City, KS 67801
- Retail Sportsbook: DraftKings Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games
- Opening Date: Open Now!
DraftKings Sportsbook is available in Kansas both online and at retail! You can get started with online sports betting from the comfort of your home but you can also kick things off with DraftKings at the Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City.
The Boot Hill Casino has a 24,000-square-foot gaming floor with an assortment of table games and slot machines on offer. Enjoy daily promotions alongside seasonal kiosk games to mix up the gaming experience.
FanDuel Sportsbook at Kansas Star Casino Hotel
- Location: 777 Kansas Star Drive, Mulvane, KS 67110
- Retail Sportsbook: FanDuel Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games
- Opening Date: Open Now!
The Kansas Star Casino Hotel outside of Wichita was quick to open its doors to sports betting. The casino partnered with FanDuel Sportsbook and offered a destination for Kansas sports fans to place wagers. A temporary sportsbook is open and operational as a permanent location is established.
The Kansas Star Casino Hotel doesn’t just have a FanDuel Sportsbook, though. When you’re not taking in a game, you can hit one of the 1,500 slot machines and more than 40 table games to get some gaming fun in.
PointsBet Sportsbook at Kansas Crossing Casino
- Location: 1275 S, US-69, Pittsburg, KS 66762
- Retail Sportsbook: PointsBet
- Other Features: Slots, table games
- Opening Date: Check back soon
Kansas Crossing Casino is eligible to open a retail sportsbook, but so far it hasn’t actually done so. All signs point to PointsBet looking to establish a retail sportsbook at the location at some point in the future.
The casino has almost 20,000 square feet of gaming space with over 600 slot machines and a dozen table games. A retail sportsbook will add even more gaming action, and PointsBet would be able to deliver a great experience.
Barstool Sportsbook at Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
- Location: 777 Hollywood Casino Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66111
- Retail Sportsbook: Barstool Sportsbook
- Other Features: Slots, table games, poker, racing
- Opening Date: Open Now!
Hollywood Casino is just one of the many casino chains owned by Penn Entertainment. The gaming company owns a sizable stake in Barstool Sports, the popular sports blog. Its sportsbook arm, Barstool Sportsbook, has found a steady home in many of Penn’s casinos and in Kansas, that includes the Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway.
The name “Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway” isn’t just for show. The casino is attached to the titular racetrack, which hosts motorsport events including two NASCAR Cup Series weekends each year. That doesn’t come at the expense of the proper casino experience though, as there are still slots, table games, and poker all on offer.
What Sports Can I Bet on in Kansas?
Kansas sports fans can bet on all major sports including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, and boxing. State law also allows bettors to wager on both professional and collegiate sports, meaning teams like the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas State Wildcats are fair game for wagers. The only asterisk is that esports betting is prohibited in Kansas, so competitive gaming fans will need to look to other sports or head to a state where esports betting is legal.
Here are just some of the sports that you can bet on in Kansas:
- NFL
- MLB
- NCAA Basketball
- NCAA Football
- NBA
- Racing
- MMA
- Boxing
- NHL
- Tennis
- Soccer
- PGA
- Darts
- Lacrosse
- Esports
Available Bet Types in Kansas
Moneyline
Moneylines are the easiest way to bet on sports. Pick which team you think will win and if you’re right, you receive a payout for it. The amount you win for a successful wager varies based on how heavily favored the team was over the other.
Spread
The spread is designed to make betting on either side of a contest viable. This is done by adding a handicap to the team that’s favored to win, meaning they need to out-score their opponent by a certain margin in order to have a bet on them land. This can mean that a bet on the winning team may lose sometimes, but the odds will be much better when betting on a team that’s widely expected to win.
Live betting
Live betting is wagering on a sports contest that is currently underway. Sportsbooks will offer certain bets for live games with lines that shift as the game progresses. Many users prefer live betting over betting before the game starts and some sportsbooks offer greater options and extra promotions for live betting.
Totals
Totals are a bet that focuses on the performance of both teams during a game. Bookmakers will set a line and bettors can wager on whether the final outcome will be over or under that mark.
Prop bets
Prop bets are a wide-ranging set of bets that don’t necessarily tie into the actual outcome of the game or the points scored by teams. These can be betting on the performance of an individual player or whether a unique condition will be fulfilled during the game.
Parlays
You can put together a parlay by combining multiple bets into one larger bet. This offers greater rewards than placing all of these bets individually, but comes with the added risk of needing each one of these conditions to be met in order to win. If even one part fo the parlay doesn’t land, the bet is considered a loss.
Futures
Futures are typically bets on who will ultimately win a championship. The most common example is something along the lines of picking out which team will win the Super Bowl before the season even begins. Odds on each team will shift as the season unfolds.
Kansas Sports Teams
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are the team most frequently associated with the state of Kansas, despite actually playing out of the Missouri side of Kansas City. The team’s history is defined by spurts of greatness with some long layoffs in between.
The Chiefs have had some high points over the years, but the organization’s about as good as it ever has been in recent years. The addition of longtime Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid in 2013 has paid off for the franchise a few times over. The team quickly became a regular playoff contender with Reid at the helm and transformed into a year-in, year-out threat to win the Super Bowl from there. That stretch includes a 2019 Super Bowl victory and 2020 Super Bowl appearance.
Kansas City Royals
As with the Chiefs, the Kansas City Royals play out of the Missouri side of Kansas City but are still the clear favorites of Kansas sports fans. The team is unfortunately known for its frequent struggles in the AL Central division.
The team is in a rebuilding phase more often than not, but managed to align the stars in 2014 and 2015 to become a top threat. This included back-to-back World Series appearances and winning the pennant in 2015. The team quickly skidded back into the middle of the pack and bottom of the division from there, with fans hoping that new owner John Sherman can spur the team to consistency.
Kansas Jayhawks
Kansas doesn’t have an NBA team of its own, but that’s not really a problem for the state. That’s because the University of Kansas and the Jayhawks hold things down brilliantly.
The Jayhawks are one of the best teams in NCAA basketball, both historically and at present. The school notched its 50th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022 which culminated in the school’s fourth championship win. The school competes in a number of other sports as well as part of the Big 12 Conference, but when someone thinks of the University of Kansas, they think of basketball.
Kansas State Wildcats
The University of Kansas isn’t the only notable NCAA athletics program in the Sunflower State. Kansas State University and its Wildcats don’t have a singularly dominant team like the University of Kansas does, but the school is competitive in a number of different sports.
Kansas State has been solid at the conference level and made a splashy Elite Eight run in 2018 in men’s basketball and has found its way into the women’s NCAA Tournament more often than not in recent years. The school has also been on a profound upswing in football in recent years, winning the Big 12 championship in 2022.
Outside of the Kansas City squads and its pair of top schools, Kansas has a number of other semi-pro and minor league teams that compete within its borders and can potentially be wagered on. Here are some of the most notable:
- Sporting Kansas City
- Sporting Kansas City II
- Kansas City Current
- FC Wichita
- Kaw Valley FC
- Kansas City Roos
- Rockhurst Hawks
- William Jewell Cardinals
History of Sports Betting in Kansas
The process of legalizing sports betting in Kansas was a relatively lengthy process. The first move to legalize sports betting came in 2021 when the state senate passed a bill to begin the process of legalization. The matter was shelved for almost a year from there when state representatives put together an amended bill from there.
The negotiation process dragged on from there for a time. Even though both chambers agreed that legal sports betting should move forward, they couldn’t come to terms on precise language and regulations. This stalemate dragged on but the brinksmanship was ended in May 2022 when the two sides approved a bill and passed it on to the governor to sign.
Thankfully, things moved relatively quickly from there. Once the bill was agreed upon and signed, a targeted soft launch date was set for September 1, 2022. This target was met.
On the day of, Kansas sports betting opened with a number of online sportsbooks accepting wagers and retail sportsbooks opening. Since then, more sportsbooks have moved forward toward legalization and the state is becoming a sizable market.
