Of all the states in America to join Nevada in the legalized sports betting sphere, Delaware – population: 967,000 – surprised many by being the first. And while several more prominent states have joined the fray since Delaware accepted its first legal sports bet back on June 5, 2018, “The First State” is still a major player in the space – though it has plenty of room to grow and expand, particularly where mobile wagering is concerned.
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Delaware Sports Betting History
Delaware might just have the most fascinating sports betting backstory aside from Nevada; not only was it the only other state to offer multi-game NFL parlays when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was signed into law in 1992, but it came oh-so-close to introducing legalized sports betting in 2009, only to have its signed bill challenged and ultimately defeated by the major professional sports leagues in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
Yet, while that bill was struck down, it was never repealed – so when the Supreme Court ruled last year that PASPA was unconstitutional, Delaware already had a sports betting bill ready to be passed. And just a few weeks after the landmark decision by SCOTUS, Governor John Carney made the state’s first legal single-game wager, successfully picking the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Chicago Cubs on a $10 bet.
Delaware Sports Betting at a Glance
Here’s what you need to know about Delaware’s current sports betting landscape:
- Sports wagering is presently being offered at three Delaware casinos: Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, Harrington Casino and the Casino at Delaware Park.
- Mobile wagering is not available in Delaware at the moment, with the state hoping to establish the sports betting market within its three brick-and-mortar casinos before expanding to the mobile space.
- The gross sports wagering revenue is subject to a 50 percent tax, with an additional 10 percent given to Delaware horsemen to put toward purses at the casino racetracks. The casinos also give up 0.25 percent of their total sports betting handle to the state.
- Delaware brought in an average of $15.35 million in monthly handle over the final four months of 2018, with a monthly average of $1.78 million in revenue.
Delaware Sports Betting FAQs
Where can I place a legal sports wager in Delaware?
You can make a sports bet at any of the following three casinos:
- Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, 1131 N Dupont Hwy., Dover, DE, 19901
- Harrington Casino, 18500 S Dupont Hwy., Harrington, DE, 19952
- Casino at Delaware Park, 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington, DE, 19804
When will mobile sports betting be available in the state?
Lottery officials haven’t offered a firm timeline on when mobile sports betting will be made available to Delaware residents. Mobile sports betting is technically legal in the state, but nothing is being offered as of yet.
Will other brick-and-mortar locations be able to offer sports betting in Delaware?
Not for the foreseeable future. Delaware’s three casinos share the state’s lone available license, and will likely remain the only sports betting facilitators indefinitely.
How is sports betting regulated in Delaware?
The Delaware Lottery is responsible for betting regulation within the state; you can check out the complete list of sports betting rules and regulations here.
What kinds of sports wagers can I make at Delaware casinos?
The state’s three casinos all offer a wide array of betting options, which include (but are not limited to):
- Straight wagers
- Totals wagers (Over/Under)
- Moneyline wagers
- Prop wagers
- Futures wagers
- Parlays
- Teasers
What sports can I wager on at Delaware casinos?
The following sports are available for betting at the state’s three sportsbooks:
- Professional and college football
- Professional and college basketball
- Professional hockey
- Professional baseball
- Soccer
- Auto Racing
- Boxing/MMA
- Golf
More State Overviews
Nevada Sports Betting
Indiana Sports Betting
Pennsylvania Sports Betting
New Jersey Sports Betting
New York Sports Betting
West Virginia Sports Betting