• About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling
This site contains commercial content
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News
No Result
View All Result
SportsHandle
No Result
View All Result

Greyhound Lobby Vocal About Kansas Sports Betting Bill

Committee hears concerns from greyhound advocates and wagering operators

Jill R. Dorson by Jill R. Dorson
February 18, 2021
in Regulation
Greyhounds-Racing

(Shutterstock)

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Like its Senate counterpart last week, the Kansas House Committee on Federal and State Affairs held a two-day hearing to listen to testimony related to legalizing sports betting. The most vocal and prolific lobby was animal rescue and humane society groups pushing for legal sports betting to not include greyhound racing or allow greyhound tracks to accept wagers.

HB 2199, which would legalize mobile and retail sports betting and iLottery, does not allow for wagering on greyhound races, but does leave open the door for a greyhound track to contract for sports wagering. Horse or greyhound racetracks could be potential “sports facility managers,” which are approved lottery sports betting partners.

The bill would allow for pro franchises/venues to offer retail and mobile sports betting, and Penn National/Barstool Sports already operates a casino at one, Kansas Speedway.

Greyhound advocacy groups said they would support a bill that does not allow for wagering on greyhound racing or for greyhound tracks to host sports betting facilities. They also pointed to the strain that such racing places on a jurisdiction.

“I’ve seen racetracks fail and it was a horrific site, said Kate Fields, the CEO of the greater Kansas City humane society. “It was unprofitable, and [in one case] 80 dogs were left to die, and non-profits were left to pick up the pieces. Greyhound racing is an embarrassment, it’s not profitable, and it’s [terrible] for the dogs.”

Operators voice concerns over bill

Among those who submitted written testimony opposed to the HB 2199 was Jeff Morris of Penn National Gaming. According to his testimony, his company opposes the bill because of high tax rates and the mandate to use official league data.

Sign Up For The Sports Handle Newsletter!
I also want to receive information and offers about online sportsbooks (eg. odds boost, welcome offers)

His company also believes that sports betting licenses should be limited to “existing licensed gaming operators, who have invested billions in economic development in Kansas.”

Boyd Gaming’s Ryan Soultz also wrote of concerns with the HB 2199, but submitted his testimony as neutral. Boyd Gaming owns and operates the Kansas Star Casino. Both Soultz and Morris testified in favor of SB 84 last week.

Thursday’s testimony from opponents and neutral parties followed Wednesday’s Part 1 of the hearing, which featured in-person testimony from Rep. John Barker and Jason Watkins of the Ruffin Companies and Kansans for Fair Play, representing local racetracks. Major League Soccer’s Sporting KC and the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, both of whom offered testimony in the Senate, were among those who filed written testimony.

Senate bill vs. House bill

Barker spent considerable time comparing the House bill to the Senate version, and said the Senate bill has too much casino influence.

“It’s my belief that the Senate bill was written by the casinos,” he testified. “It’s like the tail wagging the dog.”

Convenience stores, municipal governments want piece of action if Kansas legalizes sports betting. | via @TimVCarpenter https://t.co/rUhFMTDcfu pic.twitter.com/nQQRfofdHN

— Kansas Reflector (@KansasReflector) February 11, 2021

Among the key differences between the Senate and House bill are:

  • Tax rate: Senate bill sets rate at 7.5% of gross gaming revenue for retail wagering and 10% for digital; the House bill sets the rate at 14% for retail and 20% for digital;
  • The Senate bill would not allow racetracks to contract for sports wagering while the House version does;
  • The House bill would allow for 1,200 lottery vendors to offer sports wagering while the Senate version would not; and
  • The Senate version does not require the use of official league data while the House version does.

Consensus would be needed

Both bills name the Kansas Lottery as the regulator, allow for statewide mobile sports betting, and would allow for professional sports venues to partner with sports betting operators. There are differences that would need to be hammered out in terms of exactly who else besides pro venues and casinos could offer sports betting, depending on which bill moves forward.

There was no vote or resolution after the two-day House hearing. Because the Federal and State Affairs committees are considered “exempt” by the Kansas Legislature, there is no immediate need to act on the bills. The legislature is in session until April May 15.

On the Senate side, the Federal and State Affairs Committee plans to “work the bill” at its Feb. 24 meeting.

 

ShareTweetShare
Jill R. Dorson

Jill R. Dorson

Jill has covered everything from steeplechase to the NFL and then some during a more than 30-year career in sports journalism. The highlight of her career was covering Oakland Raiders during the Charles Woodson/Jon Gruden era, including the infamous “Snow Bowl” and the Raiders’ 2003 trip to Super Bowl XXXVII. Her specialty these days is covering sports betting legislation across the country. You can reach Jill at [email protected]

Related Posts

women-mint-juleps-kentucky-derby-glasses
Features

What’s The Difference Between A Legal Wagering Age Of 18 Versus 21?

April 17, 2023
whats on tap
Industry

What’s On Tap: NCAA Hoops Finals, Kentucky Derby Preps, And The Masters

April 3, 2023
Load More

Top Stories

paspa ruling

From PASPA To Present: An Oral History Of The U.S. Sports Betting Gold Rush

May 11, 2023
inside-fanatics-sportsbook-fedex-field

Sources: Fanatics Enters Advanced Talks With PointsBet On Transformative U.S. Deal

May 12, 2023
garland blinken

Dear Regulators: Merrick Garland Is The Wrong Guy To Stamp Out Offshore Betting

May 16, 2023
alabama-crimson-tide-logo

Here’s What We Know About The Alabama Baseball Betting Controversy

May 5, 2023

State Sports Betting Guides

Ohio (U.S. state) flag waving against clear blue sky, close up, isolated with clipping path mask alpha channel transparency, perfect for film, news, composition

Ohio Sports Betting – All Online Sportsbooks, Bonus Offers, and News 2023

by Brian Pempus
May 16, 2023

Downtown Detroit at twilight (Shutterstock)

Michigan Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
May 2, 2023

VA captial

Virginia Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonus Offers

by Brett Smiley
April 24, 2023

nj flag

New Jersey Sports Betting — Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks, And FAQ

by Brett Smiley
March 22, 2023

pa online sportsbooks

Pennsylvania Sports Betting – Where To Play, Online Sportsbooks And Bonuses

by Brett Smiley
May 3, 2023

Canada Sports Betting Guides

Canada Sports Betting – Best Sportsbook Apps & Bonus Offers

British Columbia Sports Betting – Legal Update, Available Sportsbooks, and FAQ

Ontario Sports Betting – Legal Status And Where To Play

SportsHandle

  • Analysis
  • Casino
  • Features
  • Horse Racing
  • Industry
  • Legal
  • Legislation
  • Lottery
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Poker
  • Politics
  • Promotions
  • Regulation
  • Sports
  • Uncategorized

Better Collective

This website is owned and operated by Better Collective USA. Trademarks and copyrights referenced on this website are and shall remain the exclusive property of their respective owners and/or licensors. Please be sure to visit the operator’s website(s) to review their terms & conditions. We advise you to read these carefully as they contain important information. Copyright © 2023 USBets.com | Better Collective USA
21 Play Responsibly
Gamble Aware West Virginia
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
GameSense

Search Sports Handle

No Result
View All Result
  • About Us / Contact
  • Responsible Gambling

No Result
View All Result
  • US Sports Betting
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Connecticut
    • Delaware
    • Illinois
    • Indiana
    • Iowa
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Louisiana
    • Maine
    • Maryland
    • Massachusetts
    • Michigan
    • Mississippi
    • New Jersey
    • New Mexico
    • New York
    • Ohio
    • Oregon
    • Pennsylvania
    • Tennessee
    • Vermont
    • Virginia
    • West Virginia
    • Wyoming
  • Pending States
    • California
    • Florida
    • Georgia
    • Missouri
    • North Carolina
  • Canada
    • Ontario
    • British Columbia
    • Alberta
  • Sportsbook Apps
    • FanDuel
    • BetMGM
    • Caesars
    • PointsBet
    • BetRivers
  • Tools
    • Sportsbook Bonuses Explained
    • Sports Betting Revenue Tracker
    • Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Partnership Tracker
    • Expected Value
    • Sports Scores And Odds Apps
    • Sports Betting Twitter
  • News