Lawmakers in Kansas consider sports betting
The US is waiting for the Supreme Court’s decision on whether to legalise sports betting on a federal level, and Kansas doesn’t want to be left behind.
US.- Lawmakers in Kansas are considering bringing sports betting to the state. In order to be able to offer that gambling modality, the Supreme Court has to rule in favor of New Jersey in the case in which the state is tryin to overturn PASPA, the federal act that bans sports betting in all but four states.
The bill that is being considered by Kansas lawmakers is a response of the case started by New Jersey: it is estimated that sports betting could bring US$1.3 billion a year. Hollywood Casino lobbyist Whitney Damron said that sports betting should be limited to “brick-and-mortar” locations in order to promote foot traffic.
Last week, the American Gaming Association (AGA) started lobbying in favour of a sports betting legislation. Over 18 states have shown interest in a sports betting industry and allowing current licensed casino operators to bid for permission once the US Supreme Court favours the measure. “Sports betting is coming. It’s going to be here,” said Will Green Senior Director of Research at the American Gaming Association. “It’s a matter of when, not if.”
PASPA, a sports protection act that was passed in 1992, prevents states from offering gambling lines on sports. Nevada, Oregon, Delaware, and Montana were granted special exemptions, as all four of those states were offering some variation of sports lotteries back in 1992. As New Jersey has taken the demand to the Court, a national approval of sports betting is a serious possibility.
