The state of Kansas started to allow for pari-mutual wagering on horse racing in 1992, and although there was a period where simulcast wagering was available, there are no licensed off track betting or simulcast facilities available as of 2017. However, horseplayers and gamblers have plenty of alternatives on the Web and via a number of casinos in the state that offer table games and slots.
Kansas Off Track Betting Sites
If you're in Kansas, your off track betting options are limited to online racebooks for betting your favorite tracks or on major events like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders' Cup. Online racebooks have secure betting platforms and exotic betting wagers like Daily Doubles and exactas.
If you like the idea of playing the odds for a higher rate of return on exotici bets, or prefer to put it all on the nose in a straight Win bet, BetOnline's racebook will pony up win-or-lose cash back on your daily betting volume. They return 7% of all internet bets placed in the racebook, except for New York Racing Association races, where the rebate is 4%.
BetOnline also gives a $25 risk free bet on your first bet in the racebook, whereby if your horse doens't win, they'll put up to a maximum of $25 back in your account to let you try again. They offer wagring on more than a dozen North American tracks every day.
Kansas Horse Race Tracks
Live horse racing is in the doldrums right now in Kansas, but there have been several functioning tracks in the past, which means there is always hope for the future.
Eureka Downs first started holding races all the way back in 1872 and offered harness, thoroughbred and Quarter horse racing until closing in 2011.
In similar fashion, Anthony Downs operated from 1904 to 2009. There has also been racing in Kansas at the Woodlands, which functioned primarly as a dog racing track, but also added harness racing in later years. This track still stands and there is still some interest in bringing back racing, which hasn't taken place since 2008.
