Operator News
US – Delaware’s casinos to launch sports betting next week
By Phil - 1 June 2018
Delaware’s three casinos; Dover Downs, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway will launch full-scale sports books next week, following the Supreme Court ruling that allowed states to rule on the legality of sports betting for themselves.
The speed to market has been helped massively by the fact that pre-existing sports betting laws have been in place for nine years along with a system that offers multigame parlay betting on National Football League games. Delaware along with Nevada, Montana and Oregon, received exemptions from the 1992 federal ban on sports gambling.
The Delaware Department of Finance said: “In consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, we have determined that there are no legal obstacles to moving forward with full-scale sports betting in Delaware following the US Supreme Court decision on May 14 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Under state law passed in 2009, Delaware may authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of games involving Delaware-based teams.”
To prepare and educate new consumers, the Delaware Lottery has published an online “how-to-bet guide” for SportsPick, the Delaware sports gaming product.
“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation, and we look forward to next week’s launch,” said Governor John Carney. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”
“We have worked closely with Delaware’s three casinos to train lottery and casino staff in preparation for a launch of expanded sports betting, and Delaware is prepared to move forward,” said Rick Geisenberger, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Finance, which oversees the Delaware Lottery. “We will continue to provide public updates and additional information through the Delaware Lottery ahead of next week’s launch.”
From Tuesday June 5 the casinos will offer single-game and championship wagering on professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and auto racing. Delaware locals will have to make bets in person rather than via their phone at this stage with mobile betting still several months off.
