Delaware online sports betting laws

Delaware moved with lightning pace once the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was ruled unconstitutional in 2018. Even New Jersey, which bought the Supreme Court case that saw PASPA struck down, did not have sports betting in place before the appropriately nicknamed First State.

In June 2018, Delaware became the first state outside Nevada to launch full sports betting offerings. One factor in its favor was that Delaware already had a form of legal sports betting during the PASPA era. This was an expanded form of the parlay product offered by the state lottery, which was exempted from PASPA’s restrictions as an offering that was legal in the state at the time of PASPA’s passage in 1992.

Due to this history, the state was able to look to legislation it had already passed in 2009, which authorized sports betting in the state (which in light of PASPA had been limited to the aforementioned parlay cards offered through its state lottery), and determined that no additional legislative action was required to launch legal sports wagering after PASPA was struck down.

However, the only place where full sports betting was allowed after 2018 was – and remains – the three racinos in Delaware. Sports betting in the state is regulated by the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) . The DGE regulates the Delaware Lottery, through which Delaware’s racinos, in partnership with William Hill, operate offer their sports betting offerings

Although online sports betting is legal in Delaware, it has not been launched in Delaware to date. Delaware residents who want to place a sports bet online have to cross state lines into neighboring New Jersey or Pennsylvania.

One of the principal reasons for this hesitation, apart from the cost of setting it up, is a concern that online betting might threaten the profitability of the state lottery’s parlay product. However, as lottery director Vernon Kirk admitted in 2020 : “In order to keep pace with the competition, mobile sports betting of some form or another in the future is inevitable; we just don’t have a timetable at the moment.”

Delaware sports betting services are offered by William Hill, through an agreement with the Delaware Lottery. But all sports bets must be struck at one of the three rasinos located within the state.

Yes, they are. The IRS considers any proceeds of betting to be taxable income, so it is important to keep a record of your winnings for your tax return. The sportsbook will also withhold 24% of any win of more than $600 for tax purposes.

The law is very clear that you may not participate in Delaware sports betting until you have reached the age of 21. However, you can take part in Daily Fantasy Sports in Delaware from the age of 18.

Although Delaware embraced the legalization of sports betting swiftly, it has not yet indulged the appetite of bettors for online and mobile sports betting.

Given that the take from the state’s retail-only sports wagering premises is unimpressive – especially when set against the sums being enjoyed by other states where online betting is legal, it seems likely that the state will eventually bow to the pressure to introduce online betting.

Until such time, however, the only way to place a sports bet in Delaware is to go in person to one of its racinos where the service is on offer.

Delaware sports betting fans can bet on most NCAA action – but not if it involves in-state teams. Bets on Delaware State’s Hornets and the Fightin’ Blue Hens of the University of Delaware, for example, are off limits.

Wagering on politics is banned by states across the USA, and Delaware is no different. No sportsbook operating in Delaware will offer odds on elections or political events at home or abroad.