The announcement that potential Kansas sportsbooks and their customers have been waiting for nearly 100 days became official on Thursday.
Officials from the Kansas Lottery announced that the state would launch for mobile sports betting companies on Sept. 1, which is a week before the opening day of the 2022 NFL regular season.
The bill legalizing sports betting in Kansas was signed into law on May 12 by Gov. Laura Kelly. A September launch will make Kansas one of the quickest turnarounds from legalization to launch. Arizona launched its sports betting market last year in time for the NFL season after Gov. Doug Ducey signed the bill into law on April 15.
“This announcement represents a lot of hard work and collaboration between the Kansas Lottery, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, our casino and tribal partners,” Kansas Lottery executive director Stephen Durrell said in a release issued by the Lottery. “The process to bring this to fruition has moved at an unbelievable pace. We are excited to be bringing sports betting to Kansas players and adding more fun and exciting play options to the Sunflower State.”
The move allows Kansas sports betting to push back the launch date by a week if any delays pop up, as state lawmakers had used the date as a targeted launch when they passed the legislation in late April. In a video released by the Lottery, Sept. 1 was referred to as a soft launch date, with Sept. 8 the official opening date, though all mobile and retail outlets can take wagers as of Sept. 1.
BetKansas.com previously reported that Kansas sportsbooks would launch operations in time for the NFL regular season, with Thursday’s announcement confirming that information.
Who Will Partner With Kansas Casinos?
With the launch of Kansas betting apps, residents of the state will have access to numerous operators.
The four state-owned casinos (Hollywood Casino, Kansas Star, Kansas Crossing and Boot Hill) can be expected to partner with a who’s-who in the online sports betting community.
Hollywood Casino, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, had already announced a partnership with Barstool Sportsbook.
Who’s Accepting Kansas Pre-Registration Offers?
Two operators have already announced pre-registration offers for Kansas.
The DraftKings promotions Kansas for early registration is $100 in free bets. The free bets can be made on launch day in Kansas, with no deposit required. New Kansas bettors also will have to the opportunity for a sweepstakes, with a $100,000 free bet as the grand prize.
FanDuel Sportsbook is also offering an early registration offer in keeping pace with its top rival.
Bettors will also be offered $100 in free wagers to be used on the go-live date by FanDuel Sportsbook Kansas.
In addition, new FanDuel Sportsbook Kansas bettors can use the operator’s “No Sweat First Bet” promotion. The bonus allows users up to $1,000 in free wagers if the first bet loses.
Timing Couldn’t be Better for Kansas
Launching in time for the start of the NFL season will be beneficial to the state as far as revenue and taxes. And it gives sports bettors a plethora of wagering options.
The first game of the NFL season on Sept. 8 is the Buffalo Bills at the Los Angeles Rams, the defending Super Bowl champions. The Bills are considered the favorite to win the 2023 Super Bowl, which will be played in Arizona on Feb. 12, 2023.
Although the Kansas City Chiefs are based in Missouri, they are sure to be popular with Kansas bettors. The Chiefs open their season Sept. 11 at the Arizona Cardinals.
The 2022 NFL season is sure to bring a wealth of the best Kansas betting promos.
