Going 360: Kansas sports gambling becoming reality

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Now that sports activities playing is legislation in Kansas, the state is gearing up for a 2022 rollout.

Organizers hope that sports activities followers will be capable to wager on Kansas Metropolis Chiefs video games in some unspecified time in the future this upcoming season.

Sports activities betting normally occurs via cell telephones via apps reminiscent of DraftKings, FanDuel or BetMGM, to call a number of.

As soon as arrange, sports activities betting might be authorized in Kansas. Kansas joins 30 different states and Washington D.C the place sports activities playing is authorized.

Missouri lawmakers didn’t move a sports activities betting invoice this session.

On this 360 story, we hear from a number of views, together with:

• Sports activities followers 
• Kansas lawmakers who supported the invoice turning into legislation 
• A Kansas lawmaker who opposes the legislation 
• A Missouri lawmaker who opposed a sports activities betting invoice
• Casinos and companies getting ready for sports activities betting 
• An professional on playing dependancy 
• Sporting KC president 

Sports activities followers

KSHB 41 talked to a number of followers about sports activities betting turning into authorized in Kansas. Most weren’t bothered by betting.

“What’s the problem?” requested Nissi Woods. “It would make me wish to watch it extra.”

“It’s the identical as going to a on line casino,” Dakota Bourcard added. “I’d do it, for positive.”

“I’d in all probability get far more into sports activities if I have been placing cash on ‘em,” Caitlin Might mentioned. “[I’d] Scream on the TV and stuff like that.”

Bruce Smith was essentially the most skeptical.

“I don’t find out about any of that,” Smith mentioned when requested if he would do any sports activities betting. “We throw cash on the lottery, however that’s like throwing it out right here on the steps of the Plaza.”

Kansas lawmakers

The Kansas Lottery Fee tasks sports activities wagering might herald almost $41 million {dollars} over 5 years.

The legislation gained assist from lawmakers trying to woo knowledgeable sports activities staff throughout the state line.

“Missouri must take discover of Kansas,” Sen. Rob Olsen mentioned. “We wish to give the alternatives to them franchises in the event that they wish to transfer throughout the road and be in Kansas.”

Rep. Stephanie Clayton, D-Overland Park, additionally factors to different attainable financial advantages.

“So whereas individuals are having fun with that, they may also be spending cash in our eating places, in our sports activities bars,” she mentioned.

However Rep. Paul Waggoner mentioned the state just isn’t getting sufficient cash coming in.

“The state of Kansas is hardly going to absorb $5 million {dollars} from it and there’s little or no cash that’s going to go to downside playing fund,” he mentioned.

Missouri lawmaker who opposed the invoice

A Missouri sports activities playing invoice didn’t move this session.

Sen. Denny Hoskins blamed an modification within the invoice that may not legalize lottery terminals, too.

Earlier within the session, the Warrensburg republican mentioned the proposed tax charge of 8% was too low.

“I imply principally, we’re simply giving freely cash to the casinos, which in my view are already worthwhile,” he instructed KSHB 41 on March 25.

Casinos and different companies

Kansas casinos like Hollywood On line casino at Kansas Speedway are gearing up.

The on line casino’s Vice President and Basic Supervisor, Rick Skinner, instructed KSHB 41 final month that the on line casino is popping a former buffet right into a sports activities e book.

“We’re going to get this open as quickly as attainable,” Skinner mentioned. “Our goal is to get this open earlier than soccer season.”

KSHB 41 not too long ago checked with Kansas Gaming Fee.

A consultant mentioned laws are nonetheless in draft type. The spokesperson mentioned the hope is to start out taking bets someday throughout the soccer season.

The Olathe primarily based firm, Butler Nationwide Company, manages Boot Hill On line casino in Dodge Metropolis, Kansas.

Butler already has a partnership with two nationwide sports activities betting manufacturers, in line with Butler Vice President Chris Reedy.

“We’re allowed three on-line sports activities betting platforms, and now we have relationships signed up with two of them — Draft Kings and Bally’s,” Reedy mentioned.

Playing dependancy counselor

Counselor Debra Neal anxious the brand new legislation might result in playing addictions.

“A person who’s already prone, and we do see danger components,” she mentioned. “The sky is the restrict when it comes to all these completely different websites, all these various kinds of betting, and so they’re all arrange actually to know the way to preserve individuals absolutely engaged.”

Sporting KC President

Sporting KC President Jake Reid is a fan of sports activities playing and suppose it might have an effect on curiosity in sports activities.

“I believe it’s going to have a profound influence on fan engagement,” Reid mentioned. “The extent that individuals are listening to the game. I’ve type of equated earlier than to fantasy soccer.”

—

As a part of KSHB 41 Information’ dedication to offering context and depth in our reporting, we have excited to share our newest venture, which we’re calling 360. This venture takes tales and matters that our communities are speaking about and explores completely different views on the problem. You may be part of the method by e-mailing your concepts and ideas to us at 360@kshb.com.