Kansas Inches Closer to Legal Land-Based and Online Sports Betting

Kansas Senate has approved a bill that looks to legalize land-based and online sports betting in this state.

Senate Bill 283 ed by a vote of 23-15 and will now move forward to the House of Representatives for debate and discussion.

The Fast Progress

The bill was introduced this January…

…when the Senate’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs first presented it, it first set out the licensing permit for the casinos already licensed and authorized by the Kansas Lottery Commission. This would include launching the on-premises sports betting and two online betting skins.

Casinos that offer sports betting will be subject to 7.5% rate taxation. Online sports betting would come with a 10% tax rate.

The Lottery could create its own online betting product, if no operators opt for creation of their online product.

Other Legal Definitions

The cost of a license was not yet defined. It will be decided on at a later date, by the Kansas Lottery Commission. They would also set out rules for sports betting advertising.

Sporting venues in Kansas would be allowed to enter into a contract with a licensed operator to set up a location at their venue.

There may also be a designated area where patrons may engage in sports wagering inside the venue via online platform. This would, however, only apply to motorsports or multi-sports facilities.

The bill also defines the measures for tribal sports betting. In a case a federally recognized tribe submits a request to negotiate a gaming compact regarding sports wagering, the Kansas Government will negotiate entering into that compact.

In late February…

…it was still unclear which way the sports betting legislation in Kansas will go.

Speaking about the introduction of a sports bill with an integrity fee, Senator Rob Olson remarked that he’d rather see the official data as he knows the casinos don’t like this piece.

Source:

“Kansas sports betting bill clears Senate”, igbnorthamerica.com, March 3, 2020.