North American gambling giant DraftKings has confirmed it will launch in Kansas tomorrow (1 Sep) – the opening day of legal sportsbook operations in the US state.
DraftKings is among the six sportsbook operators that have already obtained licences in the state through partnerships with existing brick-and-mortar gaming facilities.
The six licensed operators – Barstool Sports, BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, FanDuel and PointsBet – can offer sports betting from 1 September with mobile betting allowed from 8 September.
DraftKings, as the contracting counterparty of BHCMC, LLC, manager of Boot Hill Casino & Resort, will bring its digital sportsbook to the Kansas market for the first time subject to receipt of regulatory approvals.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to deliver our award-wining products to Kansas sports fans for the 2022 NFL and college football seasons,” said Matt Kalish, DraftKings co-founder and president of DraftKings North America.
“It’s an especially exhilarating time of year, and we are excited for eligible Kansans to be able to get in on all the action through DraftKings’ seamless and responsible sports betting experience.”
Kansas governor Laura Kelly announced the launch day of 1 September in mid-August, just three months after Senate Bill 84 was passed. That legislation authorizes sports wagering on mobile apps, in casinos and other specific venues, as well as historical horse racing.
The bill permits lottery facility managers to operate sports betting in Kansas on behalf of the state’s lottery, with this to take place via partnerships with online sports betting operators.
Each lottery facility manager can have up to three interactive sports wagering platforms. Operators will be granted a one-year provisional licence based on past performance in other states, with platforms that have been granted contracts to be announced soon.
SB 84 also offers a path for tribes to also operate sports betting, allowing the negotiation of a new or existing gaming compact regarding the vertical.