Kansas sports betting did not come to fruition during the 2021 legislative session. However, the nation is moving in a direction where sports wagering has become routine. The KS legislature is moving towards legal wagering, and it will likely occur in 2022.
Although, there are already partnerships being formed ahead of legalization. On Monday, Bally’s Corporation announced that it had entered into a multiyear market deal with Boot Hill Casino & Resort. Boot Hill, one of Kansas’ prime casino properties, is in Dodge City. Under the partnership, Boot Hill will launch Bally Bet, which is the company’s mobile sportsbook.
The Latest Partnership
The deal between Bally’s Corporation and Boot Hill was unprecedented in Kansas, considering no sports betting will be passed in 2021. Once Bally Bet launches in Kansas, it will be available in 14 states.
Bally Bet’s markets throughout the country have made the sportsbook a competitor in the state. Some of the other states where Bally Bet is available are Colorado, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
Bally’s Corporation President and CEO George Papanier were quoted in the press release for the announcement.
He said, “We are extremely excited to work with Boot Hill Casino & Resort in Kansas. This relationship, which marks the 14th state in which customers can access our omnichannel platform, provides a significant opportunity for Bally’s to enter into yet another attractive mobile sports betting market.”
Papanier went onto say that sports betting is on the verge of legalization in Kansas. Bally’s Corporation is excited to grow in a state where they do not have a landlocked casino. KS will be the third state where Bally Bet launches without a Bally’s Casino.
Massive Expansion
Conglomerates like DraftKings and FanDuel have dominated the sports betting industry. Although, Bally Bet is becoming a legit factor in the national market. There are 31 states where sports betting has been legalized.
Bally Bet has secured market access in 14 of the 31 states, including Kansas. Bally’s Corporation is based in Rhode Island, and it’s publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Bally Bet’s most recent launch was in CO on May 25. The site has the goal of launching in three more states by the end of 2021. Boot Hill Casino is a fantastic resort in the state, but the partnership with Bally’s Corporation will help the property become a state leader in sports betting.
Clark Stewart, Boot Hill CEO, was also quoted in the release. It’s apparent how excited the casino is to partner with Bally’s.
Stewart stated, “Bally’s has demonstrated impressive growth and has an outstanding operating track record. We are confident that bringing Bally’s diverse and interactive suite of online sports betting solutions to the Boot Hill Casino will significantly enhance the gaming experience for Kansas sports fans.”
On April 2, SB 84, the KS sports betting bill failed following a 71-48 vote in the House Committee of the Whole. The bill passed in the Senate by a 26-11 less than a month before the House committee derailed Kansas sports betting. The legislature will need to resolve a few major disputes to pass a bill in 2022.