Kansas Sportsbooks See Record $291 Million Handle in November
December 16, 2024 Marija D
Kansas‘ sports betting market celebrated a milestone in November, reporting a record $291 million in total wagers across both online and retail platforms. This marked a 5.5% increase from October’s $275.9 million and an 11.5% year-over-year jump from $260.9 million in November 2023. The figures come from the latest report by the Kansas Lottery, which has overseen the state’s sports betting operations since their launch in September 2022.
Online Betting Drives Revenue Growth
The lion’s share of November’s betting activity occurred online, with the state’s six sportsbooks contributing an impressive $279 million in handle—nearly 96% of the total. These online platforms generated $24.7 million in revenue, significantly boosting the overall total to a record $25.5 million, a 412.2% increase from October’s $5 million.
DraftKings led the market by handling over $128 million in bets, solidifying its position as Kansas’ most popular sportsbook. Meanwhile, Fanatics Sportsbook recorded the most dramatic year-over-year growth, with a 246.8% surge in handle compared to the previous year. These gains highlight the growing popularity of online betting in the state, which continues to dominate retail operations.
Kansas’ four retail sportsbooks contributed a modest $12 million to the monthly handle, generating $873,172 in revenue. These venues include ESPN BET at Hollywood Casino, FanDuel at Kansas Star Casino, DraftKings at Boot Hill Casino & Resort, and Caesars Sportsbook at Kansas Crossing.
Although the retail sector’s overall handle rose statewide, two locations—DraftKings at Boot Hill and FanDuel at Kansas Star—experienced declines in activity. Despite this, the retail sportsbooks still played a role in sustaining the market’s growth.
ESPN BET saw the highest handle among retail locations, ing for the majority of revenue in this segment. FanDuel also performed well, while Caesars Sportsbook did not report any revenue from its handle. Retail betting continues to cater to a dedicated segment of the market, complementing the overwhelming dominance of online sportsbooks.
NFL Betting Fuels Record Handle
The NFL season has been a significant driver of Kansas’ record-breaking sports betting figures. As the most popular team in the state, the Kansas City Chiefs have played a central role in fueling this surge. Although based in neighboring Missouri, the Chiefs have a devoted following in Kansas, with fans eagerly placing bets on their games throughout the season.
In mid-November, the Chiefs faced a rare loss, falling 30-21 to the Buffalo Bills, led by quarterback Josh Allen. With many Kansas bettors backing the Chiefs during this matchup, the loss likely contributed to the sportsbooks’ higher revenue for the month. Despite this setback, the Chiefs remain one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LIX, keeping fans engaged and betting.
Since the legalization of sports betting in September 2022, Kansas has experienced steady growth in its market, with November’s figures underscoring the potential for continued expansion. NFL season, in particular, has proven to be a lucrative period for operators, aligning with national trends. According to the American Gaming Association, sports bettors in the U.S. are expected to wager $35 billion on the current NFL season, a reflection of the sport’s widespread popularity.
As Kansas continues to break records, the state’s sports betting industry shows no signs of slowing down, driven by a robust online presence and ionate fans ing their favorite teams.
Source:
”Kansas breaks sports betting revenue record in November’, cdcgaming.com, December 13, 2024.
It’s great to see the numbers, but what factors contributed to this increase besides NFL betting? Were there any specific promotions or events driving this growth?