Stakeholders Still Fighting As Window For Kansas Sports Betting Begins To Close

• The Kansas constitution requires the state to run any gambling activities which is why the four casinos in Kansas technically belong to the state.
• Lawmakers worry that casinos could harvest sports betting data and target problem gamblers.
• Kansas betting already has the support of Governor Laura Kelly.

TOPEKA, Kan. – Legal sports wagering seems to be at the finish line for multiple states in the Midwest. Kansas seemed to be poised to be one of them earlier this year, but since we’ve reached the final days of the state’s 2019 legislative calendar, it seems as though sports betting in Kansas will have to wait till next year.

After five sports betting bills were introduced during this year’s legislative session, stakeholders including the state’s casino operators, the state lottery, and professional sports leagues still can’t seem to come to an agreement.

The latest sports betting measures to be introduced were KS HB 2390 and KS SB 222 which are identical proposals made for each legislative chamber.

The bills would have put the Kansas Lottery in charge of operating and regulating legal sports betting while also allowing the state race tracks to offer the activity and allow for both retail sportsbooks and mobile sports betting in KS.

However, just as the other measures that have been introduced this year, none have been able to make it to a floor vote, and none have been sent to Kansas Governor Laura Kelly to sign.

“I’m hoping they can come to an agreement on sports betting,” said Kelly. “Other states are moving ahead with that and I would really hate for Kansas to get left behind.”

Why The Casinos Want To Run Sports Betting in Kansas

The four casinos in Kansas are technically owned by the state government due to the state constitution, however, third-party gaming companies have built them and currently operate them.

One key issue that representatives of the casinos have made is that there is a financial risk to operating sports betting.

“Tiger Woods winning the Masters was a prime example,” said Rick Skinner, General Manager of the Hollywood Casino in Kansas City. “It was the biggest one-day loss in sports book golfing.”

Sports betting in itself is volatile and examples of this include huge sportsbook losses in New Jersey after this year’s Super Bowl 53 and FanDuel Sportsbook losing big on this year’s past college football national championship game by paying out early.

The companies believe it is in the best interest of the state not to risk enduring these regular types of sacrifices.

Why The State Lottery Wants Kansas Sports Betting

In regards to a moral argument from key lawmakers, having sports betting controlled by the state’s casinos leaves the gambling habits and data of sports bettors into the hands of an entity that could target problem gamblers.

“Are we trying to encourage people to gamble more?”said Kansas House Representative Francis Awerkamp. “Is that a common good? I don’t think that’s a proper use of personal data.”

But, the more compelling argument comes from financial factors.

According to a study conducted by the Kansas Division of the Budget, the agency estimates that sports bettors in the state would generate between $1 billion to $2 billion in total bets annually.

That would leave approximately $50 million dollars left after payouts have been made to enact administrative costs. fees, and profit.

If the state lottery were awarded Kansas sports betting it would mean more money going to the general fund, however, if the profits were taxed from casinos the remaining amount left for the state would shrink substantially.

Both stakeholders make compelling arguments as to why they should run sports wagering in Kansas, but it seems as though neither side will be able to win the debate in time for new legislation to be passed this year.

News tags: Kansas | Kansas sports betting | KS HB 2390 | KS SB 222 | sports betting