Over two million sports bets placed in Kansas since September 1

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - Since sports betting in Kansas was officially legalized on September 1st, residents from all over the state have been attempting to win big.

According to the Kansas Lottery, from September 1 - September 11, over 2.4 million bets were placed in the state, and those bets cashed in over $47 million in winnings.

The Lottery said the most popular teams that bets were placed on were the Chiefs, Royals, followed by the in-state colleges of KU and K-State.

“Royals play a lot of games and so they are on TV a lot. A lot of times people will wager on their favorite team no matter how well they are doing,” Stephan Durrell, Kansas Lottery Executive Director.

The Lottery also said that the September 11th NASCAR races at Hollywood Casino and Barstool Sports broke Penn Gaming’s record for a new property opening.

“Talking with Hollywood, they have had so many folks into their sportsbook area they are looking to try to expand that already. I know our casino partners in Dodge City and Pittsburg are looking to get those up and running very quickly, probably within the next 4-6 weeks,” he said.