Delaware sports betting was the first to launch after the United States Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting. This state had things already in place for a quick launch, and it wasted little time.
Delaware online sports betting is legal, but there are not currently any online sportsbooks available in the state. Retail sports betting is offered at three different locations, all under the same sportsbook.
The Delaware Lottery was offering a smaller version of sports betting prior to 2018, but it became a much bigger industry when the laws changed. The Delaware Lottery continues to oversee the DE sports betting market.
Even though sports betting is offered on a limited scale in Delaware, it does provide sports bettors in the state with an outlet.
Delaware Sportsbooks
Delaware online sports betting is legal, but it is not currently an option for bettors in the state. Anyone wanting to place a bet will have to visit one of the three retail casinos that have been authorized to accept wagers on sporting events.
Delaware sports betting is currently offered at these three casinos in the state:
- Delaware Park Casino
- Dover Downs Hotel & Casino
- Harrington Raceway & Casino
All three casinos use the betting odds and lines set by Caesars Sportsbook, and they are not authorized to form a partnership with a different operator.
There is still a form of parlay betting that is available at any of the lottery retailers located throughout the state, but these locations cannot accept any additional wagers.
DE Sports Betting Rules
Since William Hill powers retail sports betting in Delaware, international betting markets are widely available at the site. William Hill is one of the top sportsbook operators in the world, and it continues to add new betting markets.
Delaware doesn’t have any professional sports teams in the state, but there are plenty of popular teams in that part of the country. All of the top professional sports in the US are available as betting markets in Delaware.
The one major restriction in DE sports betting rules is that betting on in-state college athletic teams is prohibited. The University of Delaware and Delaware State University are the two most popular college teams in the state.
- Learn how to read odds for wagering on sports.
- Use our betting odds calculator to figure out your profits.
There is no rule prohibiting the betting on esports competitions in Delaware, but the Delaware Lottery has yet to launch any esports betting markets.
DE Sports Betting Regulations
In 2009, Governor Jack Markell attempted to legalize full-scale sports betting in Delaware, expanding on the current parlay cards offered by the lottery. Professional sports teams immediately filed a lawsuit against DE, and sports betting remained illegal.
After the US Supreme Court lifted the federal ban in 2018, it was determined that DE sports betting could launch without new legislation being passed. This allowed the DE State Lottery to launch betting in a hurry, and June 5, 2018, was the official launch date.
The Delaware Lottery oversees sports betting, and it has partnered with William Hill Sportsbook to offer retail betting in the state.
Summary
Delaware might have been the first state to launch sports betting after the lifting of PASPA, but the market has not grown much since 2018. Even though Delaware online sports betting is legal, there has yet to be an online sportsbook open up in the state.
This state was able to enjoy some success by not having much competition in that part of the country, but that is quickly changing. DE sports betting will struggle to grow in terms of handle or revenue until online sports betting is offered.
Lawmakers have not introduced new legislation in recent years, and it doesn’t appear as if any changes are coming to the current rules or regulations.
