Kansas set a new sports betting milestone in November, with bettors wagering a record-breaking $291 million. The figure marks the state’s highest monthly handle since legalised betting launched, driven largely by NFL enthusiasm and Kansas City Chiefs fans eager to back their team’s Super Bowl aspirations.

NFL Fuels Record-Breaking Numbers

The $291 million handle represents a 5.5% increase over October’s $275.9 million and an 11.5% jump from November 2023’s $260.9 million, according to state reports. The spike aligns perfectly with the heart of the NFL season, as sports betting interest tends to surge during football’s prime months.

The Kansas City Chiefs played a significant role in driving wagers. With 12 wins out of 13 games, the team remains a top contender for Super Bowl LIX. Even their mid-November loss to the Buffalo Bills likely padded sportsbook revenues, as bettors banking on the Chiefs came up short.

Online Betting Dominates the Market

The overwhelming majority of Kansas’ betting handle came from online platforms.

• Online sportsbooks accounted for $279 million, or 96% of the monthly total.
• This online activity generated $24.6 million in revenue for operators, highlighting the dominance of mobile betting.

Leading the online pack was DraftKings, which handled a staggering $128 million in bets and took home $11.7 million in revenue.
FanDuel followed with $86.5 million in handle and $8.9 million in revenue.

Other notable performers included:

• BetMGM: $26.2 million handle | $1.7 million revenue
• ESPN BET: $12.3 million handle | $786,023 revenue

Kansas bettors clearly favour the convenience of mobile wagering, a trend consistent across the United States.

Retail Sportsbooks See Steady Gains

While online sportsbooks dominated, Kansas’ four retail sportsbooks posted solid numbers as well. Combined, they reported:

• $12 million in handle
• $873,172 in revenue

The standout performer in the retail sector was ESPN BET at Hollywood Casino, leading with:

• $9.1 million in handle
• $568,087 in revenue

Though smaller in scale compared to online giants, retail sportsbooks maintain their place as gathering hubs for more traditional bettors.

Betting Trends and NFL’s Continued Impact

November marks the third month of the 2024-25 NFL season, traditionally one of the most lucrative windows for sportsbooks. Since legalising sports betting, Kansas has seen a consistent spike in activity each September as football returns, a trend that accelerates deeper into the season.

The American Gaming Association projects that U.S. bettors will wager around $35 billion on NFL games this season alone. Kansas, bolstered by its Chiefs fanbase and growing sports betting culture, appears poised to capture its share of this booming market.

Looking Ahead: Postseason Potential

The November record could be a preview of even bigger numbers to come. As the NFL postseason approaches, sportsbooks typically see betting intensify, particularly when local favourites like the Chiefs are in the mix. Kansas operators will undoubtedly capitalise on the playoff excitement, with Super Bowl wagers providing an additional windfall.

For now, the November surge cements Kansas’ status as a growing player in the U.S. sports betting landscape. With a robust NFL season underway and continued interest in mobile wagering, the state’s sportsbooks have their eyes firmly set on maintaining this momentum into the new year.

• November Handle: $291 million (Record high)
• Online Betting: 96% of total handle
• Top Performers: DraftKings ($128M), FanDuel ($86.5M)
• Retail Leader: ESPN BET at Hollywood Casino ($9.1M handle)

As Kansas City Chiefs fans keep dreaming of Super Bowl glory, one thing’s for sure: sports betting in Kansas is thriving.