![\"Online](\"https:\/\/www.top10pokersites.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/02\/US-poker-sites-approval.jpg\" "\\"Is")
The only legal and regulated online gambling in Kansas is online sports betting, which was legalized in 2022 with retail sportsbooks. However, when it comes to what we traditionally mean by online gambling \u2014 online casino games <\/b>\u2014 these are not regulated<\/b>.\nThe state law currently says that it is illegal \u201cto play on a gambling device<\/em>\u201d. It\u2019s assumed that this includes online games like slots and table games, or better said, everything a typical online casino offers.<\/p>\n The state government has little interest in regulating online gambling<\/b>, and land-based tribal casinos are typically against this notion, like in many other states.<\/p>\n However, no one can agree on what the current laws mandate, and many believe that offshore online casinos are fair game<\/b>.<\/p>\n The state allowed the creation of the first commercial land-based casinos in 2007, but it also soon made it clear that online casinos were illegal. However, no laws explicitly ban offshore gambling sites, so players typically assume they are free to join and use them. Moreover, due to this ambiguity, people are not prosecuted for using international gambling sites<\/b>.<\/p>\n A 2013 bill tried to specifically ban internet gambling by making it a class B misdemeanor like all other illegal gambling forms, but it didn\u2019t get enough votes. Section 21-4303<\/b><\/a> of the Kansas statutes<\/b> explains that almost all forms of gambling are illegal. However, the law also has several exceptions that make certain forms legal, all mentioned in Section 21-4302<\/a>. It\u2019s also hard to accurately interpret whether or not poker is included.<\/p>\n The most strict interpretation shows that all forms of poker are illegal. Still, at the same time, land-based casinos can offer almost any gambling activity<\/b>, and some consequently have full poker rooms and tables.<\/p>\n To clarify the situation, let\u2019s look at each form of poker to see what\u2019s legal and what isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n Gambling laws in Kansas are outdated, so they fail to mention the internet in correlation with gambling. This has led people to assume that online poker is legal, but it\u2019s important to say that it\u2019s certainly not regulated in the state<\/b>, and the only options are sweepstakes poker sites and offshore poker sites.<\/p>\n Sweepstakes poker is allowed in Kansas and almost all other states because it isn\u2019t considered gambling.<\/p>\n On the other hand, offshore poker sites aren\u2019t regulated, but they are not explicitly illegal either<\/b>. They are licensed in other countries but accept players from various nations, including the US. Players can join and use them like any other offshore gambling site. The state isn\u2019t prosecuting players<\/b> for using these websites.<\/p><\/div>\n Live poker isn\u2019t regulated<\/b> either, but it is offered legally in a few land-based casinos. This is primarily because tribal and state-sponsored casinos are exempt from the strict gambling laws in Kansas.<\/p>\n Kansas is thus filled with land-based gambling establishments, but, unfortunately, most don\u2019t offer poker.<\/p>\n Currently, the state has only three poker rooms, each with a few tables. These are Boot Hill Casino<\/b> (five tables), Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway<\/b> (12 tables), and Harrah\u2019s Kansas City<\/b> (13 tables).<\/p><\/div>\n As stated, Kansas statutes are strict about gambling, and the only legal forms are the specifically mentioned exceptions. They don\u2019t include home poker, so playing poker at home is technically illegal<\/b>.<\/p>\n The state is not actively prosecuting players for enjoying poker in their homes with friends or family as long as they don\u2019t run larger gambling operations.<\/p><\/div>\n First, it\u2019s worth mentioning that all illegal gambling forms in the state are classified as class B misdemeanors<\/b>, not felonies. This means they carry a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail. According to the law, both can be applied simultaneously.<\/p>\n The only thing considered a severity level 8 felony is commercial gambling, meaning only organizers of illegal gambling events can be charged with it.<\/p>\n Both retail and online sports betting were legalized in 2022<\/b>.<\/p>\n After the 2018 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act tried to legalize it in 2018 and was overturned, a new SB84 bill<\/b><\/a> was signed by Governor Laura Kelly on May 12, 2022.<\/p>\n The new law came into effect on July 1 of the same year, while the first sportsbooks launched on September 1, only two months later. The initial bookies were authorized early on to meet the new NFL season.<\/p><\/div>\n Land-based casinos are fully<\/b> legal in Kansas<\/b>. Tribal casinos have been in the state since 1995, when Kansas entered into a compact with them. They are permitted under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA)<\/b> of 1988, which makes tribal gambling legal on the federal level as long as it\u2019s on tribal land.<\/p>\n In 2007, the state brought into law the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act<\/b>, which also made commercial casinos legal. However, they need to be state-sponsored, or in other words, under a contract with the Kansas Lottery.<\/p>\n The state currently features ten casinos, with one more planned. Six are tribal, while the remaining four are commercial casinos.<\/p><\/div>\n Charitable gaming is legal in Kansas <\/b>and has been since 1974. This makes bingo the first legal form of gambling in the state.<\/p>\n Legal forms include regular bingo games, instant bingo, and charitable raffles. These games are classified as charitable gaming, so they don\u2019t fall under the state\u2019s gambling definitions and prohibitions.<\/p><\/div>\n Kansas Constitution Article 15 Section 3b states that horse racing, dog racing, and pari-mutuel wagering at licensed and regulated facilities are legal in the state. They are one of the three main exceptions to illegal gambling and were made legal in 1986.<\/p><\/div>\n All state-owned or operated lotteries are legal in Kansas. They are available through the Kansas Lottery<\/b>, which offers lottery tickets and keno. The organization was launched in 1986.<\/p><\/div>\n Daily fantasy sports were made legal with HB 2155. As long as they meet certain conditions, like prizes made known in advance and winning outcomes stemming from skills, DFS leagues are legal.<\/p><\/div>\n Kansas allows social and sweepstakes gaming as they are not considered gambling<\/b>. Consequently, players can join any licensed social or sweepstake casino in the state.<\/p><\/div>\n However, it\u2019s worth mentioning that recent sports betting legalization could indicate that the Kansas legislature might consider other forms of gambling, predominantly online gambling and poker.<\/p>\n No, online poker is not regulated in the state. Sweepstakes poker is allowed, and as for real-money online poker, players can join offshore poker sites on their own accord without fear of punishment, as the state isn\u2019t prosecuting gamblers for using international sites.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Legal gambling forms in Kansas are retail and online sports betting, charitable bingo, horse and dog racing, lotteries, and state-licensed and tribal casinos with various casino-style games, which include poker.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n Yes, it does. There are several state-licensed and tribal casinos in Kansas, but only three feature poker rooms \u2014 Boot Hill Casino, Harrah\u2019s Kansas City, and Hollywood Casino Kansas Speedway.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n According to the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA), the main regulatory body in Kansas is the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission (KRGC). It primarily oversees and regulates state casinos and lotteries.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n You can play live poker in a few land-based casinos, but you can also enjoy online poker either for free in sweepstakes poker sites or real money poker in offshore online poker rooms.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n The legal gambling age for charitable gambling and lotteries is 18, while it\u2019s 21 for casinos and horse racing.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Despite its reputation as a gambling-unfriendly state, Kansas has plenty of gambling options for its residents, especially following the legalization of online and retail sports betting in 2022. The Sunflower State has a strict gambling law that bans most gambling forms, yet it has a lot of exceptions. These exceptions include charitable bingo and instant…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":2664,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
\n<\/p><\/i> Kansas Poker Laws<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"Law\"](\"\/images\/icons\/icon-law.png\" "\\"Kansas"){kind=icon}
Kansas gambling laws aren\u2019t precise about poker<\/b>. The Kansas statutes only describe what gambling is and which options are exceptions and thus legal.\nOnline Poker<\/h3>
Land-Based Poker<\/h3>
Home Poker<\/h3>
<\/i> What Other Gambling Forms Are Legal in Kansas?<\/span><\/h2>\nKansas is strict about gambling and makes all forms illegal unless specific exceptions are written within the law. Down below, we\u2019ll cover all of these exceptions in detail.\n
Retail and Online Sports Betting<\/h3>
Land-Based Casinos<\/h3>
Charitable bingo<\/h3>
Horse Racing, Dog Racing, and Pari-Mutuel Wagering<\/h3>
State Lotteries<\/h3>
Daily Fantasy Sports<\/h3>
Social\/Sweepstakes Casinos<\/h3>
Why You Should Play Online Poker<\/h3>
\n
<\/i> Recent Kansas Poker Law Changes<\/span><\/h2>\nBesides the 2013 attempt to make online gambling a class B misdemeanor, which would have included poker, there have been no legislative attempts or new laws affecting poker in Kansas.
\n<\/i> Future of Poker in Kansas<\/span><\/h2>\n
![](\"\/images\/icons\/icon-future.png\"){kind=icon}
The legal state of poker in Kansas is likely to remain the same<\/b> in the near future. There have been no indications that the state government will change its stance.\n<\/i> Other Resources<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/i> Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\nEven though the Kansas gambling law is stringent, it\u2019s also filled with exceptions. Moreover, it\u2019s outdated and leaves online poker in a legal gray area. That way, players are free to join offshore poker sites and enjoy online poker like people in most other states. You only need to pick a reputable online poker room, register, and deposit, and you can start having fun.
\n<\/i> FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n
Is online poker legal in Kansas?<\/h3><\/div>
What gambling forms can I play legally in Kansas?<\/h3><\/div>
Does Kansas have tribal casinos with poker rooms?<\/h3><\/div>
Which regulatory body oversees gambling laws in Kansas?<\/h3><\/div>
Where can I play poker in Kansas?<\/h3><\/div>
What is the legal gambling age in Kansas?<\/h3><\/div>