Last updated: June 1, 2020

Status: – All forms of sports betting are currently legal in Delaware.

 

ETA: – Full sports betting was made legal in Delaware in May 2018. The first sports bet was made by Governor John Carney on June 5, 2018.

 

Delaware Sports Betting Timeline

As a state, Delaware has been one of the most active in terms of sports betting. Even before the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) was deemed unconstitutional, Delaware was a sports betting state. Owing to a special clause for certain state lotteries, the 1992 Act meant the First State wasn’t barred from offering specific types wagers on sport.

However, even with an exemption in place, Delaware didn’t take full advantage of its position until the demise of PASPA in 2018. To give you an overview of how the industry has evolved, here’s a brief timeline of Delaware sports betting:

1974 – The Delaware Lottery is formed and given the power to regulate various forms of lottery gaming, keno and video lotteries. Additionally, the formation of the Delaware Lottery provided the state with a way to offer regulated sports betting should federal/state laws allow.

1976 – Delaware attempts to legalize all types of sports betting but is rebuffed by federal authorities. However, it did offer parlay betting on certain sports. What’s more, the attempts to regulate sports betting in Delaware eventually led to an exemption when PASPA came into effect in 1992.

1992 – PASPA comes into force and outlaws sports betting across the US. Nevada, Oregon, Montana and Delaware are given exemptions. Technically, Delaware was able to offer a limited amount of lottery-pool (parlay-style) betting options.

2009 – A federal court limits Delaware to NFL parlay betting.

2018 – PASPA is deemed unconstitutional by the Supreme Court and the Delaware Lottery expands its provisions beyond parlays. In practice, this means Delaware sports betting fans can now place multiway and single bets on a variety of sports.

 

Delaware Betting History

After a sports betting bill was signed off by Governor John Carney at the end of May 2018, Delaware’s first bet was placed in June. With that, it became the first US state to allow full sports betting since the downfall of PASPA.

Today, residents can speculate on all manner of events, including football, basketball, baseball, boxing and soccer. As of May 2019, three live venues had active sportsbooks:

 

Delaware Park Casino

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

Harrington Raceway & Casino

Delaware online sports betting options are likely to appear at some point in the future. However, as of May 2019, there were no internet sportsbooks within the state.

 

Is sports betting legal in Delaware

Yes. If you’re residing in Delaware, you can legally bet on sports inside the state’s three casinos. These sportsbooks offer a combination of parlay betting, single wager betting and futures betting on virtually all professional sports.

 

Who controls sports betting in Delaware?

The Delaware Lottery is tasked with regulating the sports betting sector. This organization was created in 1974 and oversees all betting activity in Delaware, including slots, casino games, keno, lottery gaming and poker.

 

What is the legal age to bet on sports in Delaware?

To bet on sports in Delaware, you must be 21 or older.

 

Where can I bet on sports in Delaware?

Although online sportsbooks are likely to become a reality in the future, residents can currently place bets at the following venues:

Delaware Park Casino

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

Harrington Raceway & Casino

PIn addition to full sports betting at the above locations, residents can place football parlays at selected retail outlets across the state.

 

Who are the current operators/licensees in Delaware?

As noted above, there are three sports betting license holders within the state of Delaware: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. Additionally, Scientific Games also holds a state sports betting license. This company provides the software that all three casinos use to power their sportsbooks.

 

Which operators currently offer legal sports betting in Delaware?

The three sportsbooks currently licensed by the Delaware Lottery are Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway.

 

Is mobile and app sports betting available in Delaware?

No. At this stage, online and mobile sports betting provisions haven’t been rolled out in Delaware.

 

How much is sports betting worth in Delaware?

In 2018, Delaware sports betting operators made more than $50 million. In October 2018 alone, the sports betting handle hit $17 million.

 

What is the tax rate for Delaware sports betting?

Delaware’s sports betting tax rate is based on a revenue sharing model. For providing the software, Scientific Games receives 12.5% of each casino’s sports betting revenue. To help fund horse racing, the sport’s governing body receives 10% of state betting revenue. Finally, the state takes 50% of revenue, while the casinos take 40%.