WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Many people are looking at the start of the NFL football season as when they wanted to open sports betting – with what will be a soft launch.
On Friday, the Kansas Lottery said it’s a possibility, but be careful, people should see it as a safe bet, and they’re now aiming to correct that.
“It’s moving. It is moving forward, but the biggest thing for us and everything is that we want the product to be functional, safe and secure to use. Obviously, we don’t want it to start and then fail,” said Kansas Lottery Public Information Officer Cory Thone.
Kansas is approaching some of the first deadlines listed in the state’s sports betting law, which took effect earlier this month.
By August 1, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC) needs to establish a process to complete background investigations on sports betting platforms, and those investigations should begin by the middle of the month.
The KRGC is also drafting regulations to oversee sports betting, and its committee is expected to consider them next month.
Then on September 1, the Kansas Lottery will begin the process of approving sports betting platforms.
Four state-owned casinos have already announced partnerships with sports betting platforms that would enable retail and mobile sports betting in Kansas.
“We trust them to make decisions for their business, and I know we have to approve that, but we trust them and we believe in what they’re doing, and that’s why they’re here. It’s good to see them taking those steps because it lets them know they’re ready. Everyone is getting ready,” Thone said.
Boot Hill Casino and Resort in Dodge City said this is something they’ve been working on for a while and already had some relationships with sports betting platforms. They have already announced partnerships with two platforms and are looking at a third.
“Something that citizens have been asking for for some time. I know we’ve been working on the legislation for, I feel like, the last three to five years,” said Ryan Deutsch, assistant general manager for Boot Hill Casino and Resort.
Boot Hill said it plans to open temporary sports betting kiosks this fall, but will open a full sportsbook later this year.
Bet Kansas senior writer Christopher Boan has been watching the process and said all eyes are on Kansas because it’s the last state to approve sports betting and likely the only one that will be up and running this fall.
He said Kansas is expected to benefit from the lack of sports betting in neighboring states. An attempt in Missouri failed this year.
“Kansas pretty much has a monopoly in the Midwest, so Iowa has an existing market, Colorado has mobile sports betting, but Kansas is in a unique position to really dominate,” Boan said.
Earlier this week, Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway announced plans to open a temporary sportsbook in time for the Sept. 11 NASCAR race there.
Kansas’ sports betting law gives the state until early next year to fully open up sports betting.
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