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Sports betting approved in Delaware

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May 13, 2009

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Sports betting is coming to Delaware after the Delaware state Senate gave its approval Tuesday by a vote of 17-2 with two abstentions. The senators voted to suspend its regular protocol of sending the bill to a committee for debate and allowed it to be debated in the full chamber. Now, the bill needs just a promised signature by Gov. Jack Markell to become law.

Delaware was one of four states grandfathered in under a 1992 federal law that bans states from established sports wagering. The other states are Montana, Nevada and Oregon.

Delaware will become the first state east of the Mississippi to allow wagering on sporting events, with projections calling for about $50 million in revenue to be generated annually for the state. It is expected that Delaware will have its sports betting system operational before this fall�s start of the National Football League season, although the state Supreme Court must still decide on the exact format of wagering that will be allowed.

The bill also provided for the formation of a commission that will study whether it�s feasible for the state�s three racinos, including Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway, to add table games to its currently slots-only menu.

The professional sports leagues and the NCAA have expressed opposition to the addition of sports wagering in Delaware, and NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said in a released statement that, �We expect that everyone involved in the administration of sports leagues�professional and college�will review (Tuesday�s) action and evaluate its impact as other decisions are made by Delaware officials the Delaware Supreme Court.�

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