Kansas Gambling Laws

Kansas gambling laws are not the most permissive in the US, but they provide a great variety of legal gambling opportunities. Let’s take a look at the most important definitions and developments in the Kansas gambling sphere.

Kansas gambling laws

Kansas gambling laws follow a similar approach than the majority of US gambling laws: some forms of gambling are legal while others remain illegal. Kansas gambling laws define ‘bet’ as “a bargain in which the parties agree that, dependent upon chance, one stands to win or lose something of value specified in the agreement.”

There are some forms of gambling that are excluded from under the definition of bet. The list includes a state lottery, licensed bingo games, pari-mutuel wagering, and tribal gaming. Not surprisingly, the tribal casinos are the go-to venues for some Vegas-style gambling in Kansas. On top of tribal establishments, there are also some state-owned Kansas casinos or racinos, since 2007.

In 2007, the Legislature enacted (SB 66) the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act. The act permitted the Kansas Lottery Commission to build and operate land-based casinos. The same act also created four zones for expanded gaming, allowing one casino to be built in each zone. The mentioned casinos offer slot machines and table games, basically classic casino games. The racinos offer betting as well. Legal betting in Kansas is available on dog and horse races and is regulated by the Kansas Racing Commission.

Online Gambling in Kansas

The specific definition of online gambling is missing from most US gambling laws, and Kansas is no exception. However, Kansas’ Attorney General has released an official opinion, saying that online gambling is illegal in Kansas. There were some efforts to ban online gambling by the Senate, but they failed to pull through. After all, it’s safe to say that it’s illegal to gamble online in Kansas.

Lotteries in Kansas

The Kansas Lottery started in 1987. Until 2015, it produced USD 1,6 billion in revenues, which were transferred to the Economic Development Initiatives Fund, Juvenile Detention Facilities Fund, and the State General Fund among others. Kansas gambling laws prohibit the sale of Kansas Lottery tickets online. Players have to purchase tickets at licensed retailers.

Daily Fantasy Sports in Kansas

Under certain conditions, Daily Fantasy Sports were excluded from the definition of ‘bet’ in 2015. According to Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt, fantasy sports are games of skill, rather than chance. In May 2015, Governor Sam Brownback signed HB 2155, legalizing daily fantasy sports in Kansas. Therefore, all major fantasy sports sites accept Kansas based players.