Kansas Legislators Plan to Review and Potentially Strengthen Regulations on Advertisements for Sports Betting
Ready to delve into the latest developments in the world of sports betting? Here's what's happening in Kansas and beyond!
Just under a year and a half following the launch of retail and online sports betting in the Sunflower State, lawmakers are considering stricter advertising regulations to protect minors and at-risk groups, such as those battling gambling addiction. Passed in May 2022, Kansas' law earmarks 2% of sports betting revenue for problem and responsible gambling initiatives, and already prohibits direct advertising to minors, those on the state's exclusion lists, and those with gambling addictions.
Enter SB 432. Introduced in January and referred to the Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs, this proposed bill would ban sportsbook ads on internet websites, other online mediums, and electronic device applications, effectively restricting advertising on social media sites. Operators would be allowed to advertise on their own websites as part of the interactive sports wagering platform, provided that account holders opt-in to receive such advertising.
New regulations are set to take effect by January 1, 2025. This move is part of a broader trend across legal North American sports betting states to restrict advertising in order to safeguard the most vulnerable members of society. By early February, Kansas state regulators were slated to develop new rules based on SB 432. However, as of June 2025, it appears that Kansas SB 432 may not be an active bill specifically focused on tightening sports betting advertising guidelines.
Looking northwards, Ontario regulators are prepared to implement new rules banning celebrities and athletes from sports betting advertising, set to go into effect on the 28th of February. U.S. states like Maine and Massachusetts also have some of the strictest advertising and marketing deadlines in the nation. Maine regulations limit digital advertising to an operator's platform, and both Maine and Massachusetts ban advertising on college campuses or to college students. In Massachusetts, operators must also display "21+" on advertisements that can be seen from professional or college sports venues.
On a federal level, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko proposed a ban on sports betting advertising in the U.S. last August. Despite the proposal, the bill has yet to gain any traction.
It's an intriguing time for the sports betting landscape in North America, with ongoing discussions and regulation updates in several states and regions. As always, responsible gambling remains a top priority for lawmakers and operators alike.
- In Kansas, lawmakers are considering stricter advertising regulations for sports betting, aiming to protect minors and at-risk groups who struggle with gambling addiction.
- Passed in May 2022, Kansas' sports betting law already prohibits direct advertising to minors, those on the state's exclusion lists, and those with gambling addictions.
- SB 432, introduced in January, proposes to ban sportsbook ads on internet websites, social media sites, and electronic device applications, while allowing advertising on operators' own websites with opt-in permission from account holders.
- By January 1, 2025, new regulations are set to take effect, as part of a broader trend across legal North American sports betting states to restrict advertising for the protection of vulnerable groups.
- Ontario regulators are planning to implement new rules banning celebrities and athletes from sports betting advertising, effective from the 28th of February.
- Strict advertising and marketing regulations can also be found in states like Maine and Massachusetts, with limits on digital advertising, bans on advertising on college campuses or to college students, and requirements for "21+" notices on advertisements at sports venues. On a federal level, U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko has proposed a ban on sports betting advertising, although the bill has yet to gain any traction.
