The Kansas state Senate’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs has introduced a bill to allow sports wagering in the state.
Senate Bill 283 would allow casinos already licensed by the Kansas Lottery Commission to launch on-premises sports betting, while these facilities may also offer two online betting skins. The committee is currently hosting hearings on the bill, which started on 29 January and will end later today (30 January).
Retail sports betting revenue would be taxed at a rate of 7.5%, while a 10% tax would be placed on revenue from online sports bets.
If only one – or no – operator takes up the option to create an online product after two years, the lottery may create an online betting product of its own.
In addition, sporting venues in the state may enter into a contract with a licensed sports betting operator to allow the operator to set up a location at their venue.
The bill also allows licensees to create “an area where patrons may engage in sports wagering at sporting facilities”, though adds that this activity shall be limited only to online platforms.
However, it specifies that this only applies to motorsports or multi-sport facilities Wyandotte county with a minimum investment of $50,000,000, in practice meaning only Kansas Speedway and MLS team Sporting KC’s Children’s Mercy Park may take advantage of this option. Penn National Gaming currently operates a Hollywood Casino-branded location at Kansas Speedway.
A licence fee was not specified in the bill, but may be set by the Kansas Lottery Commission. The Lottery Commission will also set out rules for advertising at a later date, should the bill pass into law.
The bill would also require that if a federally recognized Indian tribe submits a request to negotiate a gaming compact regarding sports wagering, then the Governor must to “negotiate in good faith” to enter into a such a compact.