Kansas Horse Racing Betting

Several states have been hit hard by waning interest in horse racing, and Kansas is included on that list. Live Kansas horse racing hasn’t taken place in the state since 2008, as declining revenue led to the closure of the last operating venue.

There aren’t any off-track betting facilities for residents and visitors to take advantage of either. Thankfully, it’s completely legal to bet on horse racing online in Kansas. The state is serviced by a number of the top operators in the industry.

Online Horse Racing Betting in Kansas

Despite the lack of operating horse racing tracks in the state, the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission still provides information on horse racing law online.

The KRGC is regulated primarily through the Kansas Lottery Act, the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA), and the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act. KELA was created by, and the Lottery Act and the Parimutuel Racing Act were amended through, Senate Bill 66 (SB66) which was passed in 2007.

The legislature delegated to the KRGC the task of promulgating rules and regulations to regulate casinos, race tracks, racinos and related licensees, which KRGC does through the implementation of regulations known as KARs (Kansas Administrative Regulations.) Below are links to these statutes, regulations and Senate bill:

There’s a dedicated link on the site for what’s known as the Pari Mutuel Racing Act.

In 1986, the voters of the state of Kansas amended Article 15, Section 3b of the Kansas Constitution to “permit, regulate, license and tax” horse and dog racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Kansas.

In 1987, the Kansas Legislature passed the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act. The KPRA created the Kansas Racing Commission (now the Kansas Racing and Gaming Commission) to license and regulate horse racing, greyhound racing, and pari-mutuel wagering in Kansas. The Act was amended every year from 1989 to 1998, and in 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Additionally, there is a full PDF of the act online which provides details on all of the rules and regulations surrounding Pari Mutuel racing in the state.

74-8819: Pari Mutuel wagering. (a) Organizations licensed pursuant to K.S.A. 74-8813 or 74-8814, and amendments thereto, may conduct pari mutuel wagering on the results of horse and greyhound races held on dates and at racetrack facilities approved by the commission and on simulcast races as provided by K.S.A. 74-8836, and amendments thereto. All persons participating in such wagering shall be present within the confines of the approved racetrack facility.

Licensed Kansas Racetracks

There are no operating horse racing venues in Kansas. The last locations in the state that offered live racing shut down in 2008. Neighboring states Colorado, Nebraska, and Oklahoma all have venues which are up and running for those interested in a road trip to catch the races in person.

Off-Track Betting in Kansas

There are no off-track betting facilities located in Kansas, nor any options for simulcasting. Those looking to bet on the races will need to do so online, which is legal in the state. A number of the leading operators in the industry are up and running in Kansas as a result.

Kansas Horse Racing Betting Laws

While there are no options for live racing or simulcasting in Kansas, the state’s racing and gaming commission still provides detailed information on the rules and regulations surrounding Pari Mutuel Racing.

On the commission’s website, there is a dedicated section for Pari Mutuel regulations. Article 9 – titled Pari Mutuel Wagering – is available in PDF form and covers all of the ins and outs.

112-9-3. Parimutuel wagering. Each form of wagering shall be used only with permission of the commission and in accordance with the provisions of the Kansas parimutuel racing act. (Authorized by K.S.A. 1988 Supp. 74-8804 (p); implementing K.S.A. 1988 Supp. 8819 (b); effective, T-112-3-31-89, March 31, 1989; effective June 26, 1989.)

Major Horse Racing Events in Kansas

Live racing hasn’t taken place in Kansas since 2008. There are no major events which can be attended in person in the state, but the online operators who are up and running in Kansas offer wagering opportunities for all of the major races across the nation.