You’re sure to find your gambling fix in Kansas, home to 9 casinos offering slots, poker, blackjack, and more. The Sunflower State has 2 racetracks where players can take part in pari-mutuel and simulcast betting. The state may have jumped the gun a bit early in trying to get sports betting going, which a restructured bill may make a reality, sooner-than-later.
Kansas Legal Gambling History
In 1974 Kansas legalized bingo for charitable gaming purposes. This only extended to fundraising until 1995 when the state began to offer more varieties of the game including “instant bingo”.
In 1986, the next step for gambling legalization came when Kansas legalized a state lottery, which is wildly popular in the state and generates tremendous revenue that’s used for charity. Also in 1986, the state began to offer pari-mutuel betting at racetracks. Kansas is home to two racecourses and introduced simulcast betting in 1992 – allowing players to wager on races taking place out of state.
After the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act was passed, the state of Kansas entered into compacts with tribal members in 1995. These legalized class III gaming at tribal casinos and allowed for slots, poker, and other table games.
In 2015 the then governor of Kansas signed a bill making daily fantasy sports legal.
Kansas Gambling Legal Status
Casino gambling is legal at the state’s casinos including slots, poker, video poker, and other table games. Online casino gambling and online poker are illegal.
Sports betting is illegal in Kansas, but daily fantasy sports are legal.
Kansas has a state lottery and charitable gaming is legal but very restricted. Very few licensed operators can offer bingo.
Race track betting, off-track betting, pari-mutuels, and simulcast betting are legal at Kansas racetracks.
Kansas Land-Based Casinos
There are currently 9 casinos operating in the state of Kansas serving up over 11,405 slots and gaming machines, poker, blackjack, and more.
They are as follows:
- 7th Street Casino
- Boot Hill Casino and Hotel
- Golden Eagle Casino
- Hollywood Casino
- Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel
- Kansas Star Casino and Hotel
- Prairie Band Casino and Resort
- Sac & Fox Casino
- White Cloud Casino and Lodging
Kansas Legal Daily Fantasy Sports and Sports Betting
Kansas may have jumped the gun a bit early on trying to get sports betting going in the state. In 2018, just before PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Participatory Act) was lifted, Kansas had already introduced a sports betting bill that would legalize it if the federal ban (PASPA) were lifted. Due to the structuring of HB 2752, the efforts were unable to push through.
Sports Betting in Kansas has a lot of support and bi-partisan efforts are being made to crank out legislature. It was thought that Kansas would see sports betting in 2019, but due to being low on time, lawmakers decided to table it until 2020 when it is hopeful it will go through.
Daily fantasy sports have been legal in Kansas since 2015.
Kansas Legal Gambling FAQ’s
What types of gambling are legal in the state of Kansas?
The following forms of gambling are legal in Kansas:
- Casino gambling including slots, poker, and table games.
- Track betting, pari-mutuels, and simulcast betting.
- State lottery.
- Daily fantasy sports.
- Charitable gaming such as bingo.
