Delaware appears set to win the race to become the first state besides Nevada to offer legal single-game sports betting.
On Thursday, Delaware’s Department of Finance announced that the state’s three casino operators – Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and Harrington Raceway & Casino – would begin offering single-game sports wagering on Tuesday, June 5 at 1:30pm.
The betting must take place at the casinos’ new sportsbooks, as the state has been coy regarding future online betting opportunities. Messenger betting is also verboten, as “accepting telephone or electronic wagers from inside and/or outside the state of Delaware is strictly prohibited.”
Delaware was already authorized to offer parlay wagering via the Delaware Lottery under the federal sports betting prohibition that the US Supreme Court struck down on May 14. Two weeks ago, Delaware received assurances from the state Attorney General that there were “no legal obstacles” to proceeding to “full-scale” wagering.
In addition to parlays, Delaware will now offer point spread and money-line bets, as well as fixed-odds wagers on events like auto racing and golf. To prepare customers, the Lottery’s SportsPick site has posted a How to Bet Guide that includes such handy tidbits such as a ‘nickel’ meaning a $500 bet.
Delaware’s launch will officially beat New Jersey to the punch, as Garden State senators don’t plan to vote on their new sports betting regulations until June 7. The state’s Monmouth Park racetrack had hoped to take its first wager on May 28, but deferred to legislator’s desires.
Across the state line, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) announced Thursday that it was now officially accepting sports betting license applications from its casino operators. The PGCB released its initial draft of sports betting regulations on Wednesday, but spokesman Doug Harbach suggested licenses could be issued before the regs are finalized.
