‘Moment is finally here’: Sports betting business opens at casino in Kansas City, Kansas
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Sports betting in Kansas
Gambling on sports begins in Kansas on Sept. 1. Here’s what to know about how, when and where to place your bets.
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They lined up by the dozens at Hollywood Casino in Kansas City, Kansas, on Thursday afternoon, with money in their hands and luck on their minds
Dozens of people walked up to the Barstool Sportsbook kiosk inside the casino to place their bets on the first day of legal sports wagering in Kansas.
The state became the latest to legalize sports betting, days before Week 1 of the college football season started and a week before the NFL season kicked off.
Officially, Gov. Laura Kelly became the first person in the state to place a bet, wagering $15 on the Kansas City Chiefs to win Super Bowl LVII. But now any person in Kansas can place a sports bet – either on their phone or at Hollywood Casinos.
People lined up in the area and watched as three giant TVs scrolled through the gambling odds of this week’s college football games and Thursday night’s MLB games. A few wore Kansas City Chiefs shirts. One person wore a Patrick Mahomes jersey.
The line for the betting stations varied and seemed relaxed as people approached the windows to place their wagers. Most people were through in less than two minutes.
One bettor spoke on the phone, reading aloud from a sheet of paper about the probability that the University of Missouri football team wins their game Thursday.
Sportsbook employees said they expect more to show up Thursday night and into the holiday weekend.
Before she placed her bet, Kelly said no bill she’s signed in her term has generated more excitement than the one to legalize sports betting.
It won’t just be Kansans who can place a bet. Missourians can simply cross the state line, download an app and place the bet on their phone.
“I hear from Kansans across the state who tell me they are literally counting down the hours until they can finally wager on sports,” Kelly said. “I’m so glad this moment is finally here.”
This story was originally published September 1, 2022 at 1:31 PM.
