Sports betting has bipartisan support in Kansas, but so far the parties wanting to make it legal have struck out. They have to resolve their differences if lawmakers are going to consider legalization when they return to Topeka next week.
There has to be agreement, first of all, on where sports gambling could happen in Kansas. Should it be at casinos? Or maybe on mobile apps run by the state or by gaming companies.
There’s also disagreement over how much the state would collect in taxes on gaming revenues.
Republican Representative John Barker chairs a committee studying the options. Earlier this month, he urged the parties to come together on a plan before lawmakers return from their spring break next week.
“Casinos have an interest, the lottery has an interest, convenience stores would have an interest," he said. "Trying to get them all on the same sheet of music just takes time.”
Kansas is one of dozens of states that have considered legalizing sports betting after the Supreme Court ruled they could do so.
Stephen Koranda has more: