Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB516

Introduced
2/24/26  

Caption

Exempting certain devices and contests from the crime of unlawful gambling.

Impact

If enacted, SB 516 would significantly alter the landscape of gambling laws in the state by explicitly permitting certain gaming devices and contests that do not have an element of chance to be exempt from being prosecuted as unlawful gambling. This would provide clearer guidelines for entities willing to operate amusement or competitive gaming devices, potentially boosting local economies and opportunities for legitimate business ventures in these fields. It signals a recognition of the growing popularity of esports and skill-based contests, allowing them to thrive under a regulated framework.

Summary

Senate Bill 516 seeks to amend existing Kansas statutes to exempt certain devices and contests from being classified as unlawful gambling activities. The bill defines various terms such as 'gambling device,' 'skill-based contest,' and 'esports competition,' clarifying what constitutes legal participation and operation within these domains. By setting forth specific criteria for exempted devices, the bill aims to regulate and facilitate legal forms of entertainment, while reducing ambiguity concerning similar activities that fall under the definition of gambling.

Contention

The bill has sparked debate over the definitions of 'gambling' and 'skill' and whether the exemptions could open the door to profiting from activities that closely resemble traditional forms of gambling. Critics argue that the bill may inadvertently blur the lines between regulated gaming and gambling, leading to potential enforcement issues. Proponents contend that it is necessary for the modernization of Kansas’ gambling laws to keep pace with innovations in gaming technology and public recreation preferences.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS SB8

Exempting the sale of firearms, firearms accessories, ammunition, firearm safes and firearm safety devices from the retatilers' sales tax.

KS SB6

Providing a sales tax exemption for sales of electricity to residential premises by municipally owned or operated utilities.

KS SB2

Eliminating the income limit to qualify for the subtraction modification exempting social security benefits, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, citing the increased property tax homestead refund claim section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, decreasing the normal privilege tax rate, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, decreasing the rate of ad valorem tax imposed by a school district; providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund, reducing the state rate of tax on sales of food and food ingredients and modifying the percent credited to the state highway fund from revenue collected.

KS SB1

Modifying income tax rates for individuals, exempting all social security benefits from Kansas income tax, increasing the Kansas standard deduction and the Kansas personal exemption, increasing the income tax credit amount for household and dependent care expenses, decreasing the privilege tax normal tax, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value for property tax valuation purposes, increasing the extent of property tax exemption for residential property from the statewide school levy, providing for certain transfers to the state school district finance fund and abolishing the local ad valorem tax reduction fund and the county and city revenue sharing fund.

KS HB2003

Establishing the veterans' valor property tax relief act providing for an income tax credit or refund for eligible individuals, modifying the definition of household income and increasing the appraised value threshold for eligibility of seniors and disabled veterans related to increased property tax claims and citing the section as the homeowners' property tax freeze program, providing property tax exemptions for certain personal property including watercraft, marine equipment, off-road vehicles, motorized bicycles and certain trailers, excluding internal revenue code section 1031 exchange transactions as indicators of fair market value, providing for certain exclusions from the prohibition of paying taxes under protest after a valuation notice appeal and providing four prior years' values on the annual valuation notice.

KS HB2001

Authorizing the secretary of commerce to enter into agreements with major professional sports franchises to establish STAR bond projects for a major professional sports complex, providing for additional revenue sources, expanding the powers and discretion of the secretary and making other changes to the STAR bonds financing act to facilitate such projects, limiting the secretary’s authority to approve such projects to one year unless extended by the legislative coordinating council, authorizing the Kansas development finance authority to issue STAR bonds for such projects, transferring funds under certain circumstances from the state gaming revenues fund to the attracting professional sports to Kansas fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and, if approved by the legislative coordinating council, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.

KS SB7

Authorizing federally licensed firearm dealers, in addition to county sheriffs, to receive applications for concealed carry licenses and forward such applications to the attorney general, prohibiting sheriffs from assessing any fee related to application services and allowing dealers to assess a fee related to application services not to exceed $20.

KS HB2002

Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.

KS SB3

Clarifying the procedures and restrictions on accepting a nomination for an elected office.

KS HB2004

Authorizing counties to propose an earnings tax for ballot question.

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