State Watch

Delaware to begin allowing sports betting next week

Delaware is set to launch full-scale sports betting next week, making it the first state to do so following the Supreme Court ruling striking down a ban on such wagering earlier this month.

Delaware Gov. John Carney (D) on Thursday announced that the state would begin allowing sports betting at its three casinos — Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and Harrington Raceway & Casino — on June 5. 

“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation, and we look forward to next week’s launch,” Carney said in a statement.

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“We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”

The Delaware Lottery published a “how to bet” guide in preparation for the state’s sports betting operation. The guide offers definitions of key terms in sports betting and outlines general rules for such wagering.

The new operation allows bettors to place single-game wagers and future bets on the MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA, as well as golf, soccer and auto racing. 

In a May 14 decision, the Supreme Court struck down the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which banned states from authorizing and licensing sports gambling operations. 

The decision marked a major victory for states, like New Jersey, which brought the lawsuit, paving the way for sports gambling operations nationwide.