NFL fans in Kansas have every reason to be excited. It’s been confirmed that sports betting will launch in the state next month with an official launch on September 8. That’s good timing with the new NFL season beginning that day.
It had been expected that the launch wouldn’t happen in time for the new NFL season. That’s something that US states are looking forward to. Not because they are big fans of American Football but because it will see big boosts in the amount of gambling tax revenues. Those have dipped in recent months in states that have legalised sports betting.
Such is the desire to launch in time for the new NFL season, Kansas will introduce temporary regulations to allow retail and mobile sports betting apps to start taking bets on September 1. The Kansas Lottery will be the state gaming regulator and their Executive Director Stephen Durrell says there has been an “unbelievable pace” used to get this launch ready so quickly.
Four casinos in the state are licensed to offer sports betting. Tribal casinos in Kansas are busy amending their compacts so they can get in on the act too. It might take a bit longer though and their launch will take place once they have agreed terms with the state government.
Laura Kelly is the Kansas State Governor Laura Kelly and says that legalising sports betting is “a common-sense solution that keeps Kansans’ money in Kansas.” With sports betting not lego so far, gamblers in Kansas just go to other neighbouring states to place bets or venture onto off-shore gambling sites.
The governor added that the launch will be good for “sporting events, casinos, restaurants and other entertainment venues.”
Those offering sports betting in the state will be given a one-year provisional licence. These will be given based on how the operator has fared in other states. The Bill that legalised sports betting in Kansas on mobile apps, in casinos and certain other venues was passed in May of this year.
The wait continues in Maryland though with their sports betting launch not likely for several months. That’s because the Sports Wagering and Application Review Commission (SWARC) are still waiting for the completion of an industry analysis report.
It’s the SWARC that gives final approval to all the Maryland sports betting licences. This week they said that the launch may not happen until early 2023. That means while in Kansas, gamblers will be able to bet on the NFL from the start of the season, those in Maryland will hope to be able to do so for the 2023 SuperBowl.
The delay is frustrating Governor Larry Hogan, not to mention all those who want to legally start placing bets on sport in the state. Once the SWARC approves regulations, there will be 45 days for operators to make applications. That’ll be followed by another 45 days for those applications to be reviewed. If there are a lot of applications, then even longer may be needed for this process. Nothing will happen though until that industry analysis has been completed.
