Although Kansas took some time to legalize many forms of gambling, there are a wide variety of options available in the state. Residents of the Sunshine State can play casino games, bet on races (theoretically) and fantasy sports as well as play the lottery, among many other things. In addition, traditional sports betting looks like it will soon be available too. So, without a doubt, gambling in Kansas is alive and strong!
If you would like to find out more about gambling and casinos in Kansas, you have come to the right place. On this page, we have created the ultimate guide to gambling in the Sunshine State. Some of the areas we look at include the state’s gambling laws, the wagering options available to residents as well as the evolution of gambling in the area. We also list all the brick-and-mortar and online casino sites available to players in Kansas. So, what are you waiting for?
Kansas has rather strict legislature surrounding gambling. Anything not codified in law can be considered illegal. It is important to note that both players and operators can be prosecuted in the state, meaning you may not want to take the chance with something that is not allowed.
With that stated, here is a brief summary of how many legal gambling options are allowed to operate in the state:
Charity Gambling – nonprofit organizations are allowed to run raffles and bingo games to raise funds for their causes. These organizations need to be registered within the state.
Racing – although horse and greyhound racing are legal, there are no open tracks running any races, making the fact that it’s legal quite useless.
Lottery – the state lottery sells scratch cards and keno tickets. No tickets can be sold online. The state reviews the lottery’s license every 15 years.
Casinos – casino revenues are divided in such a way that sees operators receive 73% of the share, problem gambling services get 2%, and local jurisdictions get 3%.
Daily Fantasy Sports – fantasy games are legal. A player’s fantasy picks need to be spread across different games.
With regards to age, in Kansas, gamblers need to be 18 to play in state lottery and charity games. However, they need to be 21 to engage in all other forms of gambling.
Types of Gambling in Kansas
Kansas residents have a good number of gambling options available to them. These include the following:
Lottery Tickets – the state of Kansas runs a state lottery, which sells both keno-style lottery tickets and scratch cards. In addition to this, players are also able to enter into the multistate games like Powerball and Mega Millions.
Casino Gambling – there are eight legal casinos operating in the state. Three of these casinos are run by the Kansas Lottery whereas the other five are Indian casinos.
Charity Gambling – charities are allowed to run raffles and bingo games in an effort to raise funds. The goal of charity games should not be to make a profit.
Track Betting – Kansas gamblers are allowed to bet on horse and greyhound races. In addition, off-track betting is also legal, meaning that bettors can place their bets online. That said, there currently aren’t any racetracks open in Kansas.
Daily Fantasy Sports – the second legal form of online gambling in the state. Kansas residents are allowed to compete in daily fantasy sports games run by sites such as DraftKings, FanDuel, CBS Sports and StarsDraft, among others.
List of Casinos in Kansas
Here is a full list of the casinos in Kansas. This includes both the Indian casinos and the casinos run by the Kansas State Lottery
Casino
Address
Boot Hill Casino – Dodge City
4000 W. Comanche
7th Street Casino – Kansas City
777 North 7th Street Trafficway
Golden Eagle Casino – Horton
1121 Goldfinch Road
Kansas Star Casino – Mulvane
108 West Main St.
Casino White Cloud – White Cloud
777 Jackpot Drive
Prairie Band Casino – Mayetta
12305 150th Road
Hollywood Casino – Kansas City
777 Hollywood Casino Blvd.
Sac & Fox Casino – Powhattan
1322 US Highway 75
History of Gambling in Kansas
When compared to neighboring states, such as Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, and Oklahoma, Kansas took a fair while to legalize gambling. The ball only started rolling in 1974 when the state decided to legalize charity bingo games. It would take another 12 years before another form of gambling was added to the list.
In 1986, the stated legalized both the lottery and racing. The legalization of racing betting saw off-track betting legalized as well. The coming years saw the opening of the Woodlands Racetrack and Wichita Greyhound Park. As of 2010, no horse or greyhound races have taken place at either of the two tracks.
The 1990s saw the state begin to make the first moves towards legalizing casinos. However, casinos would only be fully permitted to operate in 2007. Since then, eight casinos have opened their doors across the state: five Indian casinos and three run by the state.
Kansas Casinos FAQs
Is gambling legal in Kansas?
Yes, gambling is legal in Kansas. However, not all forms are. Currently, most forms of online gambling aren’t legal but there are brick-and-mortar establishments available that allow you to play casino games.
Does Kansas have casinos?
Yes, Kansas does have casinos. Currently, there are five Indian casinos and three run by the Kansas Lottery.
Can you gamble at 18 in Kansas?
Yes, you can gamble at 18 in Kansas. However, you will be limited to charity games and playing the lottery.
Can I bet online in Kansas?
Yes, you can bet online in Kansas. However, the only legal forms of online gambling in the state are off-track betting and daily fantasy sports.
Can you bet on sports in Kansas?
Yes, you can bet on horse and greyhound races but no track in the state currently hosts in races. In addition to this, you can also bet on daily fantasy sports if you count that as sports betting.
Is DraftKings sportsbook legal in Kansas?
Currently, DraftKings fantasy games are legal in Kansas but the sportsbook is not. The state has yet to codify sports betting but it has been suggested that this will happen soon.
Is horse racing legal in Kansas?
Yes, horse racing is legal in Kansas, as is greyhound racing. But no race track is currently hosting races.
