Kansas state Rep. Jan Kessinger recently introduced a measure that would legalize sports betting in the state effective July 1. “We want to be there first. You want to be able in Wichita to have it before Oklahoma does. I’m from Johnson County. We want to be able to have it before Missouri does, otherwise you’re going to have people driving across the border, placing a bet, and then going back home,” he said.
Two other bills—one in the House and one in the Senate—also propose legalizing sports wagering Kessinger said all three bills, HB2068, HB2032 and SB23, will require many refinements before they are debated on the House or Senate floor. “It’s very complicated and it’s going to take a lot of work to go through it,” Kessinger said.
He noted sports betting could provide the state with $5-$7 million in annual sports betting tax revenue. A study by Oxford Economics indicated that amount could grow to nearly $30 million in state and local taxes and create more than 2,100 new jobs.
In addition, Kessinger said sports betting could benefit local business owners. “It would drive a lot of business to sports bars, where people go in, they’re placing bets, they’re involved in watching the games, staying longer, ordering another appetizer, another beer,” he said.
