Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will donate payout from her Super Bowl bet to Mahomes’ charity

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will donate the payout from her bet on the Kansas City Chiefs to win the Super Bowl to quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ charitable foundation.

The Democratic governor placed $15 on the Chiefs to win it all on Sept. 1 – the first legal sports bet in Kansas after the Legislature approved and Kelly signed a bill to implement sports gambling last year. At 10-1 odds, her winnings are $150.

Kelly announced Monday that she will donate $165 – the winnings as well as the original amount wagered — to 15 and the Mahomies Foundation. The foundation, established by Mahomes in 2019, supports a variety of charities, including Big Brothers, Big Sisters Kansas; Harvesters Community Food Network; and the Sunflower House in Shawnee.

“It turns out the Chiefs are always a good bet,” Kelly said in a statement. “I chose my wager in September because I believe in Patrick Mahomes and the team. They are the reason I won this bet, and I’m more than happy to give my winnings to support all the good work Patrick is doing throughout the Kansas City community.”

Kelly, who traveled to Arizona for the Super Bowl on Sunday, has also won her bet with Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania. Shapiro was born in Kansas City but grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs.

He will send Kelly soft pretzels from Philly Style Hand Twisted Soft Pretzel Bakery in Levittown; cheesesteaks from Tony Luke’s, a prized Philadelphia spot; and mini Eagles doughnuts from Collegeville Italian Bakery in Collegeville.