Is Sports Betting Legal in Delaware? Everything You Need to Know

Date: 18.06.2025

Legal Sports Betting Guide

From its 1970s NFL parlay cards to BetRivers’ 2024 online launch, Delaware’s compact market, anchored by one mobile platform and three racinos, blends innovation with tradition. This guide dives into Delaware’s betting journey, legal framework, betting options, economic impact, legislative debates, and responsible gambling practices. It ensures you can bet safely while avoiding offshore risks.

Delaware, the “First State,” has long been a pioneer in sports betting. Betting is fully legal, both online through BetRivers and at three racinos: Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, Casino at Delaware Park, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

The Delaware Lottery oversees this tightly knit market, ensuring safety and fairness. While you can wager on most sports, bets on local college teams like the University of Delaware are prohibited to protect sports integrity.

Delaware’s Betting History

Delaware’s sports betting roots stretch back to 1976, when it launched a “football lottery” with NFL parlay cards. Bettors picked multiple games on one ticket, but the system folded after a single season.

That brief experiment proved pivotal. It earned Delaware a partial exemption from the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), alongside Nevada, Montana, and Oregon.

When the Supreme Court repealed PASPA on May 14, 2018, Delaware acted fast. On June 5, 2018, it became the second state after Nevada to offer single-game betting at its racinos.

Online betting followed in January 2024, with BetRivers launching after a soft debut in December 2023, cementing Delaware’s pragmatic approach to a small but dynamic market.

The Legal Playbook in Delaware

The Delaware Lottery runs the show, regulating sports betting under Title 29 of the Delaware Code. Partnered with Rush Street Interactive (RSI), it ensures a secure environment for bettors.

You must be 21 or older and physically in Delaware, with geolocation tools like GPS verifying your location. A key rule bans bets on Delaware college teams or in-state college events, shielding student-athletes from potential match-fixing risks.

Federal laws reinforce this framework. The 1961 Wire Act prohibits interstate betting communications, while the 2006 Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) blocks payments to illegal gambling sites. These measures push bettors toward regulated platforms, away from risky offshore operators.

Where and How to Place Your Bets in Delaware?

Delaware’s betting scene centers on BetRivers, the state’s sole online sportsbook since January 2024, and three racinos: Bally’s Dover, Delaware Park, and Harrington. BetRivers, operated by RSI after replacing 888 Holdings, ties online wagers to these venues. In the app, you choose a racino, blending digital ease with Delaware’s racing heritage.

Retail sportsbooks at the racinos, powered by Scientific Games, offer betting windows and kiosks. Over 100 statewide retail outlets also accept NFL and college football parlay bets. BetRivers spices things up with promotions like second-chance bets for new users.

Available bet types and sports include:

Bet Types: Spreads, moneylines, totals (over/under), parlays, prop bets, futures, live betting.
Sports: NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, international events (soccer, tennis, golf), excluding Delaware college teams.
Restrictions: No bets on high school sports, politics, entertainment awards, or local college events.

These options ensure variety while upholding regulatory safeguards.

Recent Developments in Delaware Sports Betting

[April 8, 2025]: Delaware Cracks Down on VGW Luckyland with Cease-and-Desist Order

[January 17, 2025]: Delaware Sets Sports Betting Handle Record but Ends December in the Red

[December 27, 2024]: VIP Play Partners with Delaware North for West Virginia Market Access

Delaware’s Betting Boom

Delaware’s sports betting market has surged since BetRivers went online. In 2024, the betting handle reached $216.24 million, over three times the prior year’s total. December 2024 set a record at $28.4 million, up 221.9% year-over-year.

By March 2025, the sports lottery handle jumped 440%, with mobile casino revenue up 225%. The first quarter of 2025 saw a $63.45 million handle, yielding $3.27 million in gross gaming revenue.

Tax revenue is allocated strategically. Fifty percent goes to the state’s General Fund, fueling education and infrastructure. Forty percent supports racinos as commissions, and 10% boosts horse racing purses, preserving Delaware’s racing legacy.

Since 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed $6 billion to the General Fund, including $242.3 million in 2023. Racinos drive jobs and tourism, with horse racing adding $182 million and 1,540 jobs in 2014. Sports tourism generated $258 million and 3,000 jobs in 2023. Despite Delaware’s 1 million population, its market thrives, though it trails New Jersey’s $1.9 billion February 2025 handle.

Legislative Crossroads Ahead

Delaware’s betting market, led by BetRivers’ monopoly, faces a potential shift. In April 2024, House Bill 365 (HB 365) proposed letting each racino partner with two online sportsbooks, allowing up to six operators.

Sponsored by Representatives Frank Cooke and William Bush, and Senator Spiros Mantzavinos, the bill sought to enhance competition, improve odds, and keep bettors from crossing into Maryland or New Jersey for apps like FanDuel. The Internet Sports Lottery Legislative Working Group backed this move, eyeing higher tax revenue.

Delaware Lottery Director Helene Keeley and RSI pushed back. Citing the state’s small population, Keeley argued the single-operator model maximizes profits, pointing to March 2025’s 440% handle growth. She warned that competition could cost $3 million annually.

HB 365 stalled in June 2024 when the Appropriations Committee didn’t act. The debate may reignite in the future, as Delaware balances its cautious approach with pressure from neighbors’ multi-operator markets.

Steering Clear of Offshore Pitfalls

Offshore sites like Bovada lure some Delawareans with broader betting options, including college games. These unregulated platforms carry steep risks. They violate state laws and federal rules like the Wire Act and UIGEA, though individual bettors rarely face prosecution.

Payments are unreliable, with delays, excessive wagering requirements, or withheld winnings. Data breaches are common, as offshore sites dodge US cybersecurity standards. Unaudited odds and weak responsible gambling tools undermine fairness.

In July 2024, Delaware banned Bovada. In April 2025, the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) ordered VGW Luckyland to cease illegal operations disguised as sweepstakes. The DGE and Delaware Lottery urge using BetRivers or racino sportsbooks for verified odds, dispute resolution, and consumer protections.

Betting Smart: Delaware’s Commitment to Responsibility

Delaware weaves responsible gambling into its regulated market, with BetRivers at the forefront. The platform offers deposit, wager, and time limits, plus self-exclusion for one year, five years, or a lifetime, managed by the Delaware Lottery. AI tools monitor betting patterns, flagging risky behaviors early.

The state allocates $400,000 or 3.5% of gaming revenue to problem gambling programs. A 2023 National Council on Problem Gambling report noted Delaware’s regulations lag behind robust standards, spurring ongoing enhancements.

Practical tips for safe betting include:

Set a Budget: Use disposable income and stick to a limit.
Avoid Chasing Losses: Don’t raise bets to recover losses.
Take Breaks: Pause every 30–60 minutes to reassess.
Know the Odds: Understand games to manage expectations.

Support is readily available. The Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (1-888-850-8888, text 302-438-8888) and 1-800-GAMBLER offer 24/7 help, ensuring a safer betting experience compared to offshore sites.

Delaware’s Betting Horizon

Delaware’s sports betting market, though modest, brims with potential. The 2024 handle of $216.24 million, up 231%, and Q1 2025’s $63.45 million show strong growth, driven by BetRivers. Its CEO, Richard Schwartz, sees room for a tenfold expansion, leveraging Delaware’s proximity to New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

If HB 365 revives in the future, adding operators like FanDuel, whose app saw 600,000 Delaware login attempts in March 2025, could boost competition and retain local bettors. Trends like micro-betting (wagering on in-game moments) or regulated esports could attract younger players, though esports needs separate licensing.

Delaware’s regulatory rigor, via the Delaware Lottery and DGE, ensures safety. Tax revenue, with 50% to the General Fund, supports education and infrastructure. Balancing growth with responsible gambling, Delaware’s betting future is a calculated, pioneering play.