The Kansas Senate has voted through a bill that would legalize land-based and certain forms of online sports wagering in the US state.
Senate Bill 283 passed by a vote of 23-15 and is now set to move forward to the state’s House of Representatives for further debate and discussion.
Introduced in January by the Senate’s Committee on Federal and State Affairs, the bill set out measures to permit casinos already licensed by the Kansas Lottery Commission to launch on-premises sports betting and offer two online betting skins
Casinos that offer land-based sports wagering would be taxed at a rate of 7.5%, while the state would also place a 10% tax 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.
However, it is not yet clear how much licenses would cost, though this is likely to be decided at a later date by the Kansas Lottery Commission. The Commission would also set out rules for advertising related to sports betting in the state.
Meanwhile, sporting venues across the state would be permitted to enter into a contract with a licensed operator to set up a location at their venue.
Licensees may also create “a designated area where patrons may engage in sports wagering” inside a sports venue, but only via online platforms. However, it specifies that this only applies to motorsports or multi-sport facilities Wyandotte county with a minimum investment of $50m.
In addition, the bills sets out measures for tribal sports betting, whereby if a federally recognized Indian tribe submits a request to negotiate a gaming compact regarding sports wagering, the Governor must “negotiate in good faith” to enter into a such a compact.