After approving six amendments the Kansas Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs advanced to the Senate floor SB 84, which would legalize land-based and mobile sports betting in the state.
One of the amendments changed the tax rate on gross gaming revenue from retail sportsbooks from 7.5 percent to 5.5 percent, with 2 percent going to problem gambling services. Casinos in the state already contribute 2 percent of revenue to problem gambling programs. Additionally, the tax rate on mobile sportsbooks was changed from 10 percent to 8 percent.
The committee also accommodated animal rights lobbyists who asked for more stringent language regarding wagering on greyhound racing. Also, the committee allowed individual establishments to have three instead of two online operators. Digital operators would have to be associated with brick-and-mortar casinos or professional sports franchises. Another amendment would allow the Kansas Lottery to regulate sports wagering but would prevent it from offering its own sports wagering platform.
The committee denied a request from representatives of convenience stores asking for sports wagering kiosks to be located at the state’s 1,200 lottery retailers statewide.
A similar sports betting bill, HB 2199, currently is being considered in the House Committee on Federal and State Affairs. It provides for a 14 percent tax rate for retail sportsbooks and a 20 percent rate for mobile wagering.
One or both bills could pass; if both do, they will go to a committee to be reconciled before heading to Governor Laura Kelly’s desk. No dates have been set for hearing the bills. The legislature will adjourn on May 15.
