Online Gambling in Kansas

Overview of Gambling in Kansas

Kansas might not have the rich gambling history of Nevada, but this wheat-producing state has shown flexibility in its gambling laws in recent times. Before now, Kansas was a conservative state with 5 tribal and 4 state-licensed casinos. These land-based casinos offer only gaming products approved by the state. Today, Kansas has added sports betting to its gaming market, thus showing progress towards accepting online gambling.

The state of Kansas considers several gambling activities legal.

Lottery

The Kansas government operates the only lottery in the state. The Kansas Lottery is a member of the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL). It was established in 1987, following a 64% vote by citizens in 1986 to create a state-owned lottery. Kansas Lottery offers games like Super Kansas Cash, 2by2, Lotto America, Mega Millions, and Pick 3. The price ranges from $1-$30 for scratch cards and $1-$2 for instant pull-tab games. Players must be 18 years old before buying lottery tickets from the 1900 retailers across the state. Selling tickets online is prohibited by the state.

Poker

Poker is a popular game among Kansas gamblers, and seven (7) out of nine casinos in the state have Poker rooms. About 28 poker rooms in Kansas offer poker variants like Texas Hold 'em, Let it Ride, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha. These casinos host Poker cash and tournaments. Poker gaming products are accessible to punters 21 years old or older.

Charitable Gaming

The Kansas government allows Charitable gaming with strict rules that reputable charity organizations host games for goodwill. Only members of the organizations can participate in it, and the proceeds are solely for charity. Games allowed in Charitable gaming are bingo and raffles.

Sports Betting

After many failed attempts to pass bills on sports betting, sports betting in Kansas finally became legal. It was launched early on September 2022 for the NFL season. Retail operators at the 4 state-licensed casinos and 8 licensed online operators, including Draft Kings BetMGM and Caesars, are allowed to leverage the market.

Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)

Daily Fantasy Sport became legal in Kansas in 2015. DraftKings and FanDuel are maximizing the DFS market by offering Kansas players DFS games like NFL, NBA, and MLB.

Social Gambling

Social gambling among individuals is illegal and punishable by law. Although it is not detailed in the state's law, any form of gambling carried out outside government-approved places is prohibited. 

Casino Gambling

The nine casinos in Kansas are eligible to offer table games and slots, including roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.

Pari-mutuel Gambling

Betting on horses and greyhounds is legal in Kansas, but racino establishments are no longer operating in the state. Off-track betting is also lawful, but no establishment offers these services for now.

Kansas Gambling Laws

Kansas, like other states in the U.S, has the power to make ordinances concerning gambling activities on its land. These laws cover both land-based gambling and online gambling. The Kansas gambling laws are written in three (4) chapters in the Kansas Statutes.

Gambling in chapter 21 (Crime And Punishments), Article 64 addresses gambling, illegal bingo operations, commercial gambling, possession and dealing with gambling devices, and installing communication facilities for gamblers. It also addresses penalties for defaulters.

Chapter 74, Article 87 contains everything related to the State Lottery, including the functions of lottery executives, lottery commissions, and retailers. It explains the lottery operating fund, the lottery prize payment fund, ticket sales, purchase, forgery, and age restrictions. Also, it covers lottery gaming facilities, background duties, and many more.

Pari-mutuel Racing occupies chapter 74, Article 88 of the statutes. It explains the qualifications for members of the gambling commission, powers and duties of the commission, bond, and prohibited acts. Rules on drugs and medications, pari-mutuel wagering, race track admissions tax, simulcasting, horses and greyhound eligibility, etc., are mentioned.

Tribal Gaming Oversight in chapter 74, Article 98, only applies to the Native American casinos in Kansas. It is a compact between the state of Kansas and the Native American tribes regarding the tribes' authority to offer class III games on the tribe's reservation property in Kansas. It explains the power and duties of the gaming agency, interagency agreement, law enforcement powers, tribal gaming fund, prohibited acts, and many more.

History of Gambling Laws in Kansas

Native Americans were already gambling before the cowboys from Texas arrived in Kansas. The Cowboys' arrival increased gambling activities in the state, and by 1874, the first race track had opened, allowing betting. In the 1880s, Dodge City had become a port for gambling, gunfights, and brothels.

• 1895- Gambling was limited to a few state fair games
• 1903- the state banned slot machines
• 1973/74- Charitable gaming was permitted, allowing only bingo games.
• 1986- Voters amend the constitution, endorsing the State Lottery. They also approved Pari-mutuel gambling on horses and dogs.
• 1995- The state approved building four tribal casinos following the 1988 Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
• 1996- The Kickapoo Tribe's Golden Eagle Casino begins operation
• 2007- The Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA) permits the State Lottery to oversee the operation of four (4) commercial casinos.
• 2009- Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City becomes the first commercial casino to open.
• 2015- Daily Fantasy Sports become legal
• 2022- Sports betting becomes legal in Kansas.

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC)

The Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) is the body responsible for regulating state-run casinos and pari-mutuel gambling in Kansas. The Governor appoints the 5-member board, and the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act authorizes the commission to carry out these services:

• Ensure that state-operated casinos and pari-mutuel facilities conduct gambling with integrity. 
• Protect the interests of the public and the state as they relate to gaming.
• Processing of gaming licenses and ID card issuance
• Educate citizens about Kansas gambling laws.

The State Gaming Agency

The Kansas State Gaming Agency is responsible for maintaining the integrity of Indian gaming operations in Kansas by implementing Tribal Act Compacts and the Tribal Gaming Oversight Act. The tribal casinos finance the agency's operations. The agency's functions include:

• Performs background investigations before licensing casino employees, management contractors, manufacturers, and distributors for each tribal casino. 
• Conducts inspections and monitors activity to comply with tribal-state gaming compacts and applicable state and federal laws.

Online Gambling in Kansas

Online gambling is legal in Kansas but only limited to Sports Betting and Daily Fantasy Sports. Other forms of gambling, like online Poker and casino games, are strictly prohibited in Kansas.

With the legalization of Sports betting in 2022, online sportsbooks like Draftkings and BetMGM will liaise with the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission to offer online sports betting products in the state.

Also, retail vendors will offer sports betting services at the 4 state-owned casinos in Kansas. Moreover, bookmakers must get a Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission license to offer Kansas punters sports betting services.

Legal vs Illegal Operators of Online Gambling

Online gambling sites have saturated the internet, all offering enticing gaming titles and welcome bonuses. However, most operators are not licensed or legal, and patronizing the wrong platforms may cost you your fun and money.

What’s more, a gambler addicted to gambling would be unable to overcome such a habit. Before you sign up and share your details with an online gambling platform, you should note the following:

License and Security

A good betting operator has a verified license and is regulated by a reputable gaming body. Illegal operators have no license or use shady permits, ensure you do proper research.

A license is a proof that the gambling site offerings have been checked and verified. Gamblers can therefore enjoy and explore several gaming titles.

Additionally, legal operators use strong SSL encryption to protect users' data and privacy. Illegal operators do not guarantee the safety of your details. 

Legal

If online gambling is not legal in your state, you might want to take a second look before using offshore gambling sites. Some offshore gambling sites are not permitted and will not guarantee the safety of your money. These offshore sites are not regulated and will likely not respond to your complaints.

Moreover, the state gaming authority would not be able to step in on your behalf because it is not their jurisdiction. This is why we encourage readers to gamble only with legal operators.

Why You Should Stick to Domestic Legal Sites

The patience of punters in Kansas has paid off; now, they can enjoy online betting from domestic legal sites in the state. Gambling with domestic legal sites ensures the safety of your earnings. Not only are the sites legal, but they are also accessible in case of issues concerning your payments. 

Domestic Sites also offer you games peculiar to your region; thus, you can bet on your favourite local sports.  What’s more, you can choose to alternate between playing in a brick-and-mortar casino or gaming from the comfort of your sofa.