At last, Delaware’s sports betting scene is inviting competition. As has been the case with nearby Washington D.C. since it launched sports betting, Delaware’s sports betting operations have fallen to one single sportsbook. Originally that was 888, but now it is BetRivers. Well, a new Delaware sports betting bill would allow the state’s video lottery to partner with more online sportsbooks.
BetRivers Delaware has been the sole partner with the three casinos in the state. Under the new bill, however, the three Delaware video lottery operators would get to partner with as many as two sportsbooks. In theory, if the lottery operators choose two different online sportsbooks each, that would be six sportsbooks available for Delaware bettors.
This new bill — House Bill 365 — would see operators paying 18% tax on adjusted gross receipts and a minimum of $400,000 for substance abuse, mental health and problem gambling programs. The rest of the tax revenue will go to the Delaware State Lottery.
As far as timeline goes — and which sportsbooks will be under consideration to join the Delaware sports betting market — it’s not entirely clear. However, unlike other states like Georgia that held their sports betting bills until the end of their sessions, Delaware’s legislative session does not end until June 30.
So the state has plenty of time to consider the bill and move it up the ladder. Right now the bill has merely been introduced with bipartisan sponsorship. The next step is for it to go to the House Administration Committee before moving forward to a potential vote.
