Sports betting is a popular and lucrative activity that many Americans enjoy. However, not all states have legalized this form of gambling, and some have more restrictions than others. In Kansas, sports betting became legal in September 2022, but only at four state-owned casinos and through their online platforms. However, a Native American tribe is set to change that and become the first in Kansas to offer sports betting at its own casino and resort.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is a federally recognized tribe that operates the Prairie Band Casino and Resort in Mayetta, northeast Kansas. The tribe has been in negotiations with the state government to amend its gaming compact and allow sports wagering at its facility. In May 2023, the Kansas Senate and House approved a resolution that authorized the amendment and gave the green light for the tribe to offer sports betting.
The resolution also required the approval of Governor Laura Kelly, who signed it on June 9, 2023. Kelly said she was glad that the tribe could finally offer sports betting to its customers and generate more revenue for its community. She also praised the tribe for its contributions to the state’s economy and culture.
The tribe’s chairman, Joseph Rupnick, thanked Kelly and the lawmakers for their support and cooperation. He said that sports betting would enhance the tribe’s gaming offerings and attract more visitors to its casino and resort. He also said that sports betting would create more jobs and opportunities for tribal members and local residents.
According to the amended gaming compact, the tribe will be able to offer sports betting at its casino and resort starting from October 1, 2023. The tribe will partner with Kambi Group, a leading sports betting technology provider, to power its sportsbook. The tribe will also launch an online platform and a mobile app that will allow customers to place bets from anywhere within the state.
The tribe will pay a 7.5% tax on its sports betting revenue to the state, which is lower than the 10% tax rate that applies to the state-owned casinos. The tribe will also share a portion of its revenue with other tribes in Kansas that have gaming compacts with the state. The compact also stipulates that the tribe will adhere to responsible gaming practices and prevent underage gambling.
The tribe will offer bets on a variety of sports, including professional and college leagues, as well as international events. Customers will be able to choose from different types of bets, such as moneyline, point spread, totals, parlays, teasers, props, futures, and live bets. The tribe will also offer promotions and bonuses to attract and retain customers.
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is not the only tribe in Kansas that wants to offer sports betting. Three other tribes — the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, the Kickapoo Tribe of Kansas, and the Sac and Fox Nation of Missouri in Kansas and Nebraska — have also expressed interest in amending their gaming compacts with the state to include sports wagering.
However, these tribes face a legal hurdle that prevents them from offering online sports betting statewide. According to their current compacts, they can only offer online gaming within their tribal lands or within a 20-mile radius of their casinos. To expand their online reach, they would need a favorable court ruling or a change in federal law.
Meanwhile, the state-owned casinos are enjoying a surge in sports betting activity since its legalization in September 2022. According to the Kansas Lottery, which oversees sports betting in the state, the four casinos generated over $100 million in handle and over $10 million in revenue in the first six months of operation. The most popular sports to bet on were football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and soccer.
Sports betting is also expected to grow further in Kansas as more locations become available for customers to place bets. The state law allows up to 1,200 retailers, such as bars, restaurants, gas stations, convenience stores, and lottery retailers, to apply for licenses to offer sports betting kiosks or terminals. These locations would provide more convenience and accessibility for customers who want to bet on their favorite teams or events.
Sports betting is a booming industry in Kansas that offers entertainment and excitement for customers, as well as revenue and opportunities for operators. The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is poised to become the first tribe in Kansas to offer sports betting at its casino and resort, as well as online and mobile platforms. The tribe hopes that sports betting will enhance its gaming offerings and benefit its community and the state. Other tribes in Kansas are also interested in offering sports betting, but they face some legal challenges that limit their online reach. The state-owned casinos are already enjoying the fruits of sports betting, and more locations are expected to join the market soon. Sports betting is here to stay in Kansas, and it will only get bigger and better.
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