Welcome to the Kansas Online Gambling Guide. Before the events of 2020, online gambling was turning over $18 million per year. This pales in comparison to the turnover seen at land based casinos of $3 billion per year. But it’s evidence that some Kansas players are enjoying the convenience, safety and security offered via online games.
Kansas Gambling Summary
- Online gambling is offered by offshore providers, licensed and regulated at territories that have strict compliance and tax concessions.
- Casino gaming is offered at tribal casinos of which there are four.
- Commercial casino gaming is available under the operation of the State.
- Daily Fantasy Sports is legal and is offered by DraftKing and FanDuel.
- Horse and dog racing, along with bingo and lottery products are legal.
- Sports betting remains illegal.
Online Gambling
Kansas Online gambling can be broken down into three distinct activities – casino, sports betting and bingo.
All three forms of gambling, are addressed in different sections of State Law and therefore when considered from an onshore perspective their conclusion to legality may be due to different reasons. The distribution of the gaming activity via the internet or “online” is not explicitly addressed, and thus, with no clear direction, it is implied that the laws governing land based may also be applied for online.
As a result, no onshore operator is permitted to operate an online site, and therefore no onshore sites are available for Kansas residents. The laws do not preclude offshore based sites, and therefore Kansas players can sign up and play at many offshore based Kansas casino, sports betting and bingo sites.
Land based commercially operated casinos are held accountable through the State government, which does not permit any online gaming. Whilst Tribal State compacts which allow for Class II and Class III gaming are in place for federally recognized tribes. These compacts do not permit any online gaming as well.
Best 5 Kansas Online Casinos
If you considering playing at real money online casinos, delve through our recommended list per below:
| CASINO | RATING | BONUS | PLAY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
El Royale Casino
|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
250% up to $12,500 Welcome Bonus |
Play Now |
| 2 | 
Bovada
|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
100% up to $3,000 Welcome Bonus |
Play Now |
| 3 | 
Vegas Casino Online
|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
400% up to $10,000 Welcome Bonus |
Play Now |
| 4 | 
Slots Empire
|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
220% up to $12,000 Welcome Bonus |
Play Now |
| 5 | 
Red Dog Casino
|
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
|
225% up to $12,250 Welcome Bonus |
Play Now |
Online casino activity is currently available and offered through various sites that are based offshore. These sites are safe and secure to play at, with no risk posed to Kansas players, both regarding legality or to player data protection.
The best online casinos all use the latest SSL internet technology, and feature secure payment methods that are common, trusted and processed by reputable financial institutions. These include: VISA, MasterCard, Amex, Bitcoin (BTC), direct wire transfers and many other methods.
Casino Bonuses are extremely important in selecting an online casino. We have therefore displayed some of the best casino bonuses that can be found whilst balancing other important criteria such as safety and security as previously mentioned. However, for ease of reference, we have listed them according to the size of bonus.
Online casinos that are of quality also have a variety of games. Our recommended list all partner with reputable software gaming providers. Some will have more than others, but each have more that plenty of gaming to keep you going.
Live Dealer Casinos
In addition to game variety, Live Dealer Casinos (also known as Live Casinos) in the State of Kansas are now becoming extremely popular. Live Dealer games are expanding the repertoire of online casinos and are generally now considered the best of tradition online casino games and land based Vegas gaming. Legally Live Dealer Casinos falls under the same laws as online gambling. Players are discovering Live Dealer video streamed in HD to their playing devices offers the same gambling experience as if they were at a real land based casino.
In fact, there are several extra benefits and features which is driving a huge boom in popularity of Live Casinos.
Some of these features include: unlimited back behind bets, variations of blackjack and roulette that are easily accessible and available (unlike land based), with a wide range of denominations to cater for the casual player to the VIP.
The benefits continue with maintaining online casino bonuses, as you would for any other interactive gaming site.
Read more about Live Dealer Casinos here.
Without doubt, at the time of writing, El Royale Casino offers the best casino bonus deal. It is also one of the safest. Coupled with excellent customer service. Lastly the gaming variety is more than enough with Live Dealer games available. El Royale is our top recommended online casino for Kansas players.
Sports Betting
In February 2020 SB 283 was approved for retail and online sports wagering in the Senate. Legislation is now in awaiting for approval by the Governor of Kansas. At this point in time, it is unknown when this decision will be made, and therefore sports betting remains illegal within the State.
Online sports betting sites, however, do exist and they are based offshore. They accept Kansas bettors, with no precedence of any bettor being informed of a breach in law, let alone charged with a misdemeanor or felony.
Daily Fantasy Sports
Daily Fantasy Sports is growing fast in popularity. New to the gambling scene, it is considered a game of skill by many which requires bettors to create a fictitious team based on real players. The performance of the real sports players in real life determine how successful the fictitious team is. As a result, it truly is those with the most “skills” will win.
The two dominate daily fantasy sports providers is DraftKings and FanDuel. On this site, we do not actively promote daily fantasy sports as we understand that it is a game of “skill” which is being exploited by bettors who have the best risk modelling. That is, it isn’t nearly about how well you know your sport, the sport players etc, it is very much about who has the best statistical model and who has access to the most detailed sports player data.
As someone who may be a big fan of sport, and thinking that they would have a good chance of winning money in DFS, think again. You are pitted against statistical modelling experts who deliberately target games that mostly have new players to DFS. In fact, it has been alleged that those who are extremely good at DFS have been known to collaborate among themselves and not compete with each other. Thereby creating a sustainable winning formula shared by the experts.
We therefore want our reader to be aware that DFS is not what is appears to be. In fairness, DFS is legal in Kansas and many DFS onshore operators accept Kansas players.
Top 3 Kansas Online Bingo Sites
Kansas Bingo Legality
Kansas bingo laws are stipulated under Charitable gaming state legislation. These laws provide for the licensing of non profit organizations to operate bingo games. At present, these laws do not address nor permit online bingo by onshore operators. Accordingly, online bingo sites that do accept Kansas players are based offshore (which is the same as online casinos and sports betting sites).
The recommended online bingo sites all accept players from Kansas. They offer advanced features that include instant messaging, fun bingo games and protocols that ensures bingo participants play together in a civil enjoyable manner. Due to the social aspect of bingo, there is a cultural aspect to bingo which cannot be found with casino or sports betting. As an example, A LOT of acronyms form part of instant chat messaging. If you are not familiar with online bingo lingo, do not be afraid, learning it is one of the most fun parts!
Kansas Casinos Overview
The four largest casinos in Kansas are:
- Boot Hill Casino in Dodge City
- Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City
- Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel in Pittsburg
- Kansas Star Casino
In judging size and popularity please refer to the below gross turn over bar chart. Kansas Star is easily the most popular casino followed by Hollywood, Boot Hill and Kansas Crossing. All casinos offer slot machines and table games.
Boot Hill Casino Dodge City
Re-opening hours:
Minimum age: 21
Splashed in the good ol’ 1800’s, go back in time and play like the classic Western movies. It’s easy to spend the weekend away here, or to just chill out and relax by enjoying some casino action. Boot Hill Casino is professionally run. Currently, they have implemented social distancing measures, provide free hand sanitizer bottles and free face masks, plus they are extremely prompt with wiping down machines, tables and equipment after players use them. The restaurants are indefinitely suspended for the time being.
Some key review points about Boot Hill. They have plenty of classic slot machines, and offer tables games. The payout ratio of the slot machines can be a little tight, and there are NO complimentary alcoholic beverages.
Kansas Star Casino
Minimum Age: 21
1,750 slot machines. Over 50 tables with live dealers.
Re-opening hours: 9am to 3am daily.
Gambling Laws
- Onshore online operators are unlawful
- Tribal casinos are permitted on Indian reservation land as determined by tribe-state compacts.
- Commercial casino gaming is unlawful with the exception of the state operated casinos.
- Legislation permits pari-mutuel and simulcast horse and dog race betting, but there are no licensed racetracks in Kansas.
- Daily Fantasy sports are classified as a game of skill and are lawful in Kansas
- Bingo is permitted for charitable organizations
Gambling Legal Minimum Age
- The legal minimum gambling age is 18 for horse and dog, fantasy sports and bingo.
- The legal minimum gambling age is 21 for casino gaming.
Gambling Taxes
- The standard gaming tax rate is 22% GGR, plus 3% local government tax and 2% tax to fund problem gambling
- Surplus from the lottery is circulated to fund charitable purposes in Kansas
Regulation and Governance
Gambling Legislation
Kansas Statutes
Kansas Gambling Market Developments
Background
The expanded Lottery Act came into force in 2007 enabling the state to own and operate four land based casinos in Dodge City, Mulvane and Kansas City, offering slots, table games and racing;
The four federally recognised tribes in Kansas are the Iowa, Kickapoo, Sac and Fox and Prairie Band Potawatomi.
May 2015
Kansas City approved SB267 to exclude fantasy sports leagues from the crime of gambling. State governor Sam Brownback signed the bill that classifies fantasy sports as a game of skill.
January 2016
State legislators have expressed renewed interest in a bill which would permit the sale of lottery tickets through automated sales terminals. HB2313 was withdrawn from the 2015 legislative session at the first committee reading but was revived with a house hearing on 26 January 2016.
There is no immediate action was taken on the bill, but it is likely the House Commerce, Labour and Economic Development committee will be tasked with refining the bill for reintroduction.
March 2016
A hearing was held in the house to discuss HB2537 which seeks to hold a public vote on the expansion of slot machines into Wichita Greyhound Park. The bill, introduced by the Committee on Federal and State Affairs, would allow voters in Sedgwick County to file a petition, requiring 5000 signatures, to allow a special ballot to be held on the matter.
November 2016
The State Lottery awarded Pollard Banknote a six (6)-year contract to provide instant tickets, game designs and marketing services following a competitive procurement process.
May 2017
The House voted against legislation which would have permitted a public vote on the authorization of slot machines at the Wichita Greyhound Park. HB2537 was consequently dropped from the legislative session.
June 2017
State Governor, Sam Brownback vetoed HB2313 which proposed the authorisation of automated lottery service terminals. The Governor stated the reason for the rejection was the negative impact the lottery has on low-income citizens.
November 2017
Scientific Games was awarded a ten (10) year contract to provide lottery gaming systems and management services by the Kansas Lottery.
January 2018
The Federal and State Affairs Committee introduced HB2533 to authorise sports betting at racetracks in the state. The bill did not include any detail relating to the regulation of the activity at this stage.
The Federal and State Affairs Committee introduced HB545 to amend the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA) to permit gaming machines at race tracks across the state.
March 2018
The Federal and State Affairs Committee introduced HB2752 to create the Kansas sports wagering act and permit land-based and interactive sports betting through lottery retailers, race tracks and any facility which holds a licence from Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission, provided PASPA is
repealed. The bill would impose a 6.75% gross win tax on sports betting on top of an integrity fee of 1% of turnover to be directed to the sport’s governing bodies. Also included was an initial licence fee of $10k and an annual renewal fee of $5k;
Sports betting authorization bill, SB455, was introduced to the legislature as an alternative to HB2752. The Senate Bill is largely the same as the House Bill however it proposes a reduced integrity fee of 0.25% of turnover compared to the 1% fee included in HB2752.
May 2018
State Governor Jeff Colyer approved HB2194 to permit lottery and bingo vending machines across the state. The legislation was scheduled to take effect by the end of May 2018 with machines to commence enrolment in early 2019.
June 2018
The State’s lottery launched in-lane supermarket sales using Abacus as their software solutions specialist integrated with the Scientific Games system.
July 2018
It was reported that legislators are expected to consider the regulation of sports betting when they reconvene for the 2019 Session in January. It is expected that the taxation rate will be in excess of 10% of gross win and that supply will be limited but not just to the state’s casinos.
January 2019
Kansas legislators introduced a bill titled the Kansas Wagering Act to authorize the Kansas Lottery to operate land based and interactive sports betting. SB 23 would permit land based sports betting at facilities operated by the Kansas Lottery, as well as other approved retailers, and racetracks which hold agreements with the lottery. The bill also proposed 0.25% integrity on turnover, capped at 5% operator Gross Win.
March 2020
The Kansas state Senate has passed a bill to legalize sports betting, after two years of debate. The bill would allow wagering on professional and college sports at any of the state’s 4 casinos, as well as online. The tax is 7.5% of gross win from bets wagered in a casino, and 10% for bets wagered online. If passed by the House, the bill will go to the Governor for final approval.