Gambling Laws of Delaware Legal State of Gambling

History and Timeline for Delaware Online Gambling

This timeline outlines the sequence of events that culminated in the legalization of gambling in the state of Delaware.

Delaware's gambling history reflects a dynamic evolution from its colonial roots of horse race betting in the 18th century to the resurgence of gambling activities in the mid-20th century. The establishment of regulatory bodies in the 1930s facilitated the legalization of horse racing and betting, leading to the opening of Delaware Park, the state's first legal betting racetrack. Subsequent milestones, such as the advent of the Delaware Lottery in 1974 and the legalization of casino games in 2009, laid the groundwork for further expansions, including online gambling and online poker in 2012. Delaware's pioneering move into full-scale sports betting in 2018, the first state outside Nevada to do so, solidified its position as a trailblazer in the realm of gambling legislation and innovation.

• 1760: Colonists in Delaware start betting on horse racing, marking the initial roots of gambling in the state.
• 1933: Formation of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and Harness Racing Commission to regulate legal horse racing and betting.
• 1937: Delaware Park, the first legal betting racetrack in the state, opens its doors.
• 1974: Legalization of the Delaware Lottery, contributing to state funds and marking an essential milestone in gambling history.
• 2009: Legalization of casino games within licensed racetrack premises, initially exclusive to racetracks.
• 2012: Governor Jack Markell signs the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act into law, legalizing online gambling options such as lotto tickets, table games, and online slots.
• 2018: Delaware becomes the first state outside Nevada to introduce full-scale sports betting, with the first bet accepted on June 5. This step also includes the legalization of full online sports betting, setting a precedent nationwide.

Legalization of Sports Betting in Delaware

• 2009: Governor Jack Markell initiates an attempt to expand the state's parlay lottery into full-scale sports betting. However, the move faces legal opposition from sports leagues citing PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act). Despite the Delaware Supreme Court's ruling in favor of the state, federal courts disagree, leading to a final ruling against Delaware's proposed expansion by a US circuit court. The US Supreme Court declines to hear the case, ultimately maintaining PASPA's restrictions.
• 2018: Following the US Supreme Court's decision to overturn PASPA, Delaware conducts a review of its existing laws and determines that no further legislative actions are required to proceed with legal sports betting. State officials clear the way for the launch of legal sports betting, which Governor John Carney confirms on May's last day, targeting a rollout on June 5, marking the initiation of legal sports betting in the state.
• 2019: Delaware experiences the initial outcomes of legal sports betting, totaling $132.5 million in sports betting handle and $19.5 million in revenue, showcasing a significant start to the state's sports wagering market.
• 2021-2022: Delaware's sports betting landscape shows fluctuations in handle and revenue. In 2021, amidst recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the state records $121.8 million in sports betting handle and $10.9 million in revenue. However, by 2022, there's a dip in performance with a 32% drop in handle, amounting to $82.4 million, and a little over $7 million in revenue compared to the previous year.
• 2023: The Delaware State Lottery announces intentions to issue a request for proposal from potential vendors capable of offering online sports betting, online poker, and online casino gambling. This move follows the expiration of the state's exclusive contract with 888 Holdings (William Hill), signaling a potential shift or expansion in the state's online gambling offerings.

Legalization of Online Gambling in Delaware

• 2009: Legalization of casino games within licensed racetrack premises, initially exclusively available at racetracks.
• 2012: Legalization of online gambling and online poker, expanding the scope of permissible gambling activities within the state.
• June 26, 2023: Delaware's online casinos generate over $1.2 million in revenue for May, marking the highest figure recorded for that month across all years.
• July 11, 2023: Renovation activities commence on the main gaming floor at Delaware Park Casino, anticipated for completion by the end of summer or early fall.
• July 18, 2023: The Delaware Lottery reports the strongest June performance for online casino revenue, with Bally's Dover accounting for approximately 39.3% of the total share among the three licensees.
• August 17, 2023: Rush Street Interactive (RSI) secures a five-year partnership with the Delaware Lottery, becoming the state's chosen provider for online gaming services.
• August 24, 2023: Online casinos in Delaware observe a revenue of nearly $1.8 million in July, signaling a slight drop of over 5% compared to the same month in 2022.
• Sept. 18, 2023: Delaware's online casinos mark nine consecutive months with at least $1 million in winnings for August, showcasing consistent revenue generation.
• Oct. 23, 2023: While Delaware's online casino numbers witness a slight dip in September compared to the previous year, sports betting sees a significant surge of over 200% from August.
• Nov. 27, 2023: Delaware's October online casino wagers total $30.54 million, displaying an 18.50% decrease from October 2022 and a 22.27% drop from September, signifying fluctuations in wager amounts.