A bill that authorizes sports betting sports betting and historical horse racing machines in Kansas has been approved by the state’s governor and signed into law.
Senate Bill 84 was approved on 12 May after the Senate presented it to governor Laura Kelly earlier this week.
The bill allows sports betting to be included under Kansas’ expanded lottery act, and historical horse racing machines to be included under the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act.
Lottery facility managers will now be able to operate sports betting in Kansas on behalf of the state’s lottery. This will take place through partnerships with online sports betting operators.
Each lottery facility manager can have a maximum of three interactive sports wagering platforms. Applications for licenses can be submitted once an application process has been put in place, which will be on or before September 1 2022.
Under the bill, sports betting and historical horse racing machines will be regulated by the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission. The Commission will also be responsible for issuing interactive sports betting licenses and sports wagering supplier licenses to eligible operators.
The bill was first introduced in January 2021, and passed the state Senate. However, it underwent a series of amendments and eventually stalled at the state House after not progressing to a vote.
Earlier this year it was referred to the Committee on Federal and State Affairs, where it progressed.