Delaware Casino and Racetrack Sportsbook Operators

Dover Downs Sports Betting

NOTE: Point spreads fluctuate, but in sports betting the odds when the bet is placed are “fixed.” The listed point spread at the time of the wager, which is printed on the ticket, may be different than the opening or closing point spread of the game and the odds appearing on the wagering sheets and display screens. Available Betting Apps in Delaware While online sports betting is legal in Delaware, it is not offered as of yet. The state has been struggling to get the online industry up and running and still may be some time away from a successful product. For now, the only online sportsbooks to be found are of the off-shore variety.

General Summary of Sports Betting in Delaware

When it comes to sports betting, Delaware is The Little State That Could. Delaware is not the biggest, most influential sports betting state, nor is it a place anybody would mistake for Las Vegas, Nevada.

Yet there was Delaware taking sports wagers on June 5, 2018, before any other state outside Nevada. Yes, even before New Jersey, the state responsible for convincing the Supreme Court of the United States to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, better know as PASPA.

It’s not all rose-colored glasses for Delaware, though. Despite winning the race to the sports betting market, once states like New Jersey and West Virginia joined the fray, Delaware was quickly pushed to the bottom of the sports betting food chain.

It doesn’t help Delaware’s position that it only has three casinos allowed to offer sports betting: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington. The delay in offering legislative details for online sports betting in Delaware also plays a role in it being pushed out of the sports betting spotlight. It’s expected that mobile and online wagering will dominate the sports betting industry in the United States.

Still, we encourage you to watch this space for more Delaware sports betting content from RotoGrinders, including information about the launch of online sports betting in Delaware. We’re proud to be your expert on all things sports betting in Delaware!

Delaware Sports Betting Legislative Landscape

You can get a full glimpse of the state of the sports betting legislative landscape in Delaware by reading its Sports Lottery Rules and Regulations here.

What follows is a brief look at Delaware’s legislative landscape as it pertains to sports betting:

• Sports betting is fully legalized and regulated in the facilities of Delaware Lottery licensees (land-based casinos and racetracks)
• Mobile and digital wagering is not yet regulated by the state of Delaware
• Wagers are expected to accepted on all professional sports, and most college sporting events
• Tax rates/fees for Delaware sports betting as per the regulations:
  • 50% tax on gross sports gambling revenue
  • 10% to Delaware horsemen for track purposes
  • .25% federal excise tax on handle

Delaware’s Sports Betting History

Delaware Sports Betting App 2020

Unlike most other states during the time of PASPA, Delaware actually had something in common with Nevada: it had a form of sports betting grandfathered in.

At the time PASPA was passed in 1992, Nevada was the only state that offered a full suite of sports betting, including wagers on single games. While it didn’t have betting on the same scale, Delaware offered parlays of three or more NFL games, and as such had been the only other state to offer a legal form of sports betting in the US.

Another interesting fact about sports betting in Delaware is that in 2009, the state passed a bill that expanded sports betting to include single game wagers. Then Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law, but toon after, Delaware lost a suit to major professional sports leagues that claimed the new bill and its regulations fell outside the scope of PASPA, and was thus illegal.

Despite losing the case, the 2009 bill was never formally repealed, which is significant because it positioned Delaware to implement sports betting quickly if PASPA were ever struck down.

As fate would have it, New Jersey took up the fight and in 2018, the Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional. With the previous bill sitting in wait, Governor John Carney was able to lead Delaware to its watershed moment on June 5, 2018, when it became the first state outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting.

Carney placed the first official single game sports bet in Delaware – a $10 wager on the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies won 6-1, making Carney a winner.

Delaware Sports Betting FAQs

When did it become legal to bet on sports in Delaware?

Delaware has featured 3+ NFL game parlays for years, but full-scale sports betting became legal in Delaware on June 5, 2018. Once the US Supreme Court struck down PASPA, Delaware was uniquely positioned to be first to the sports betting market because of a tabled, but not repealed, 2009 sports betting bill.

Where can I place a sports bet in Delaware?

Currently, there are only three places to place a bet in Delaware. Bets can be placed live and in person at the following locations:

• Delaware Park Casino
• Dover Downs Hotel and Casino
• Harrington Raceway and Casino

Can I place sports bets online in Delaware?

Currently, no. Delaware has said it wants its three casinos to get used to offer full-scale sports wagers before it allows operators to enter the online market.

What sports can I bet on in Delaware?

Bets in Delaware are accepted for all professional sports, and most collegiate sports.

What types of bets can I make in Delaware?

Delaware sports betting operators offer many options for wagers, including:

• Parlays
• Over/under
• Moneyline
• Props
• Straight wagers
• Futures
• Teasers

Who regulates and oversees sports betting in Delaware?

The Delaware Lottery regulates sports betting in Delaware.

Given that both DFS and sports betting are legal in Delaware, will we see any hybrid games offered in the near future?

Unlike in New Jersey, where Resorts and DraftKings are partners, and The FanDuel Group is aligned with Meadowlands Racetrack for sports betting, we haven’t yet seen the two worlds collide in Delaware.

Since there is no current framework in place for mobile or online sports betting in Delaware, dreaming about sports betting-DFS hybrid products is putting the cart before the horse. We believe online sports betting is in Delaware’s future. Although Delaware and its lawmakers acted quickly to get sports betting live, they don’t appear to be in any rush to get mobile sports betting up and running.

Stay tuned to RotoGrinders for news and updates about Delaware online sports betting!

Wilmington sportsbooks were some of the first operators to offer full-scale sports betting action outside of Las Vegas. Sportsbooks in Wilmington have always offered sports betting action and recent changes to federal laws have allowed sportsbooks to expand their operations. While residents and visitors were once limited to parlays on their favorite NFL teams, sports enthusiasts can now wager on a wide variety of sports and franchises. Single-game wagering is here and Wilmington sportsbooks have action on auto racing, baseball, basketball, boxing/MMA, football, golf, hockey, and soccer. You can bet on both professional and college games in most of these sports. The only thing that you cannot bet on is college teams that are based in Delaware. The best sportsbooks in Wilmington are just a short drive (or train ride) away for locals and tourists.

With all of the expanded gaming options at Wilmington sportsbooks, it is a good time for sports enthusiasts to learn more about what to expect. Understanding the legality of sports betting in Delaware can beneficial for both residents and visiting sports bettors. We can walk you through what the betting menu at a sportsbook in Wilmington might look like, and how it compares to Vegas-style sports betting. You can also read about the best sportsbooks in Wilmington, Delaware that you can visit today.

Betting Sites For Wilmington Players

Now there are a lot of players that go to the Casino at Delaware Park and place their wagers because they believe for the longest this is the only place for them to bet and cash big. The fact is that there are betting sites for Wilmington players and they can go to and do the same as they can at the Casino and maybe even more. There are sports going on all year long so to make sure to be able to place a bet on them, players can sign up for an online sportsbook. From betting bonuses to banking methods, these sites have it all and all it takes is a few minutes for players to fill out and sign up. Live betting and mobile betting features are at the top of the line are usually used for players a lot because of how much money they can really money in a short period of time. Bovada, SportsBetting, MyBookie, and others are the ones that have all of the features and bets for big-time sporting events like the Super Bowl. Players can sit at home and place these bets so be sure to have your phone or laptop ready!

Is Sports Betting Currently Legal In Wilmington, DE?

Sports betting has been legal in Delaware for decades. The state had its first sports lottery back in 1976, where locals were able to parlay NFL bets. The program was dormant after only one football season, but the state formally legalized the program in 2009 in order to revive the state lottery. That means that sports betting in Delaware have been legal since the 1970s, which is why DE was one of the four states excluded from the Professional and Amateur Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA). PASPA prohibited states from operating sportsbooks unless they had sports betting laws in effect prior to its passage. There was even a one-year window from the effective date of PASPA for eligible states to enact new sports betting laws. Ultimately, it was only Nevada, Delaware, Oregon, and Montana that were granted exemption from the law.

Though Delaware was grandfathered into PASPA, it was only a partial exemption. As Delaware had only legalized their sports lottery program, the state was legally limited to offering NFL parlays. At one point, Delaware did attempt to legalize single-game wagering, but the NCAA filed a lawsuit against the state. PASPA made sure that Delaware couldn’t expand its sports betting operations. It was not until 2018 that Delaware was able to start offering full-scale sports betting. The Supreme Court ruled that PASPA was unconstitutional because it violated the Tenth Amendment in relation to the anti-commandeering clause. With no federal barrier, Delaware was able to start offering Vegas-style sports betting just a couple of weeks after the ban was lifted. On June 5, 2018, full-service wagering at Wilmington, Delaware sportsbooks were launched.

In summation, sports betting in Wilmington has technically been legal for decades, but bettors were only able to make NFL parlay bets. However, it was only after the May 14th, 2018 ruling in Murphy vs. NCAA that the state was able to offer commercial sports betting. Residents should have zero concerns regarding the legality of Wilmington sportsbooks.

What Is The Betting Age In Wilmington, DE?

In Wilmington, DE, the minimum age to place a sports wager is 21 years old. This is the same as the general gambling age, which applies to all gaming establishments that offer slots and table games. When you visit Wilmington sportsbooks, you will be asked to verify your age by providing a government-issued ID. As long as you are at least 21 years of age, you can place bets on sports, try your hand at table games, or play your favorite slots. Though you must be 21 or over to enter sportsbooks in Wilmington, you can bet on horses when you are 18 years old or older.

Delaware Sports Betting App Goes Public

Best Sportsbooks In Wilmington, Delaware

While the best sportsbooks in Wilmington are sure to change over time, we can tell you who is currently the best bookmaker in the city. When looking for bookmakers in Wilmington, always make sure that they offer the latest betting odds on the sports you want to wager on. All of the top Wilmington, DE sportsbooks will have betting lines on the major sports markets along with some of the smaller sports as well. Vegas-style betting is in full-effect at sportsbooks in Wilmington, and you can always count on an exciting atmosphere. If you aren’t sure what kind of wagers you can make, these bookmakers have friendly representatives that can go over wager types. You may also find that these locations offer more than just sports betting as most of these locations also offer casino games, horse betting, and other types of gaming.

Right now, there is one location for sports betting in Delaware – the Casino at Delaware Park. In the future, there may be additional operators that are able to accept sports wagers in the city. These could be land-based sports betting lounges, mobile sports betting apps, or even state-licensed sports betting sites. As new sportsbooks are opened in the city or state, we will be sure to update you on that information. Until then, Delaware Park is your best bet to get in on the action if you are in Wilmington.

Delaware Sports Betting Parlay Cards

• The Casino at Delaware Park
• Address: 777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19804
• Phone: 800-41-SLOTS

The Casino at Delaware Park offers the best sports betting in Wilmington. Originally opened in 1937 as a Thoroughbred racetrack, the venue now offers a wide array of gaming options and is one of the top Wilmington sportsbooks. Patrons can watch live races, bet the ponies, and wager on simulcast races. The live racing season is typically from May through October. Horse enthusiasts only need to be 18 years old to spend the day at the races and place bets. The Casino at Delaware Park offers all of the traditional casino games that players look for. Some of the table games include Chase the Flush, Texas Hold ’em, Three and Four Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Lucky Ladies, blackjack, roulette, and craps. Poker players can check the daily calendar to find out when the next tournament will take place. Delaware Park is also a slot-lovers paradise, with more than 2,300 slot machines across two non-smoking areas.

The Sportsbook at Delaware Park has gotten even more exciting, with expanded wagering options for sports fans. Located on the 1st and 3rd floors of the clubhouse, bettors can enjoy Vegas-style betting on professional and collegiate teams. Bettors can wager on football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, golf, MMA, boxing, and auto racing. The types of sports wagers at the Delaware Park Sportsbook include straight bets, parlays, futures, propositions, teasers, and round robins. Just remember that you cannot bet on college teams based in Delaware while you are visiting this sportsbook. Here are the hours for the Sportsbook at Delaware Park.

Delaware Sports Betting Approved

• Sunday: 9am-11pm
• Monday: 11am-11pm
• Tuesday: 11am-11pm
• Wednesday: 11am-11pm
• Thursday: 11am-11pm
• Friday: 11am-Midnight
• Saturday: 9am-Midnight