Legalized sports betting begins in Kansas with ‘soft launch’; governor bets on Chiefs

photo by: Office of the Governor

Gov. Laura Kelly traveled to Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, to kick off legal sports betting in Kansas on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022. Kelly placed the first legal sports wager in Kansas, betting $15 – the same as Patrick Mahomes’ jersey number – on the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII this upcoming football season.

TOPEKA — Legalized sports betting arrived in Kansas on Thursday, with wagers being taken at state-owned casinos and via mobile apps.

Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly traveled to Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, and placed the first legal sports wager in Kansas, betting $15 – the same as Patrick Mahomes’ jersey number – on the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII this upcoming football season.

“Every day I hear from Kansans across the state who are eager to finally place legal wagers on sports. I’m glad we were able to move quickly to get this bipartisan effort done in time for football season,” Kelly said. “Now, casinos, restaurants, and other venues will have another way to attract Kansans to their establishments–creating jobs and driving economic growth. And I’m willing to bet on that. Go Chiefs!”

The “soft launch” of sports betting in Kansas comes after Kelly signed a bill in May that the Republican-controlled Legislature passed with bipartisan support.

The launch meets a goal set by state officials to have the operations running by Sept. 1, in time for the first NFL games. An official launch of the operations is scheduled for Sept. 8.

Bettors must be in Kansas to place their wagers.

Under the law, each state-owned casino may offer in-person sportsbooks and mobile sports betting on up to three platforms or applications.

As of Thursday, in-person betting is available at Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane.

Hollywood Casino will partner with Barstool Sports for mobile betting and Kansas Star will partner with FanDuel.

Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City will offer mobile sports betting through DraftKings, and Kansas Crossing Casino in Pittsburg will offer mobile sports betting through BetMGM, Caesars, and PointsBet.

In-person betting at the two casinos will be announced in the near future, lottery officials said.

Tribal casinos in Kansas are working with state officials on contracts to allow sports betting.

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