Following the end of PASPA, Delaware made a move to foster the legalization of sports betting in the state. In no time, they became the first state outside Nevada to become one of the legal sports betting states in the United States. The launch eventually pulled through in June 2018. Till date, sports betting keeps trying to take different forms in the state.
For a state that has long made sports betting legal, they are yet to make so much progress. Currently, though online sports betting is legal, there are no online sports betting platforms available. One reason why this has been the case is because the state considers the launch too expensive. So, players’ best option for betting on sports is via any of the three casinos that are approved to place bets in the state.
The main sports betting provider in the state is William Hill. They work in collaboration with the three authorized casinos in the state to provide sports betting services.
Latest updates on Delaware sports betting
DE Sports Betting: The Current Scenario
As of late December 2021, the revenue in sports betting experienced a nosedive which is in contrast to what was generated in November. The state experienced a loss in terms of revenue which amounted to -$969,520.
Is sports betting legal in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware online sports betting has been legalized since 2018. One of the major glitches about online sports betting Delaware is that though it is legal, there aren’t sports betting sites in the state that are authorized. In essence, there are no known legal online sports betting sites in the state. Players are limited to betting at the three casinos in the state which are Delaware Park Casino, Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, and Casino.
Where to bet on sports in Delaware?
As we have already established, you are only limited to betting at authorized locations in Delaware. This is the only option available in the state because the launch of online sports betting is seen to be expensive. At the venues, you can take advantage of other gaming options aside from the popular sports that you could bet on. Having just one option leaves no room for flexibility. Players cannot play from their comfort zones as it is generally available with online betting sites.
What are the legal betting apps in Delaware?
There are no approved Delaware sports betting apps that are operational in the state. This is quite disappointing, given that this state has long jumped on the bandwagon to make sports betting legal. When compared to other states that legalized sports betting at the same time, more progress has been made in terms of the availability of online betting platforms. However, there is a very good chance that in the nearest future, there will be extensive online betting platforms available in Delaware.
Brick and Mortar Casinos where you can place sports bets
As we have already made note of, the only option for placing bets on sports in Delaware is at designated brick and mortar casinos. Three major casinos double as sports betting locations, which are Delaware Park Casino, Dover Down, and Harrington Raceway and Casino.
In this section, we will look at what each of these locations offers.
Harrington Raceway and Casino
This Raceway is the full package when it comes to the offerings that visitors get to enjoy. Visitors get to enjoy amenities like an up to standard parlor with about 50 big-screen TVs to aid sports betting. Visitors also get access to a full-blown casino that comes packed with 30 tables, 1400 slots, and a 100-seater poker room. The casino also offers fine dining services where you get treated to scrumptious meals. The casino is open seven days a week from 9 AM – 1 AM. It would also suffice to add that the casino has a player club where you get to earn rewards, discounts, and exclusive event invites. Harrington Raceway and Casino is located at 18500 S Dupont Hwy, Harrington, DE 19952, United States.
Dover Down
This casino resort is one of the finest in the state. It comes fully packed with a gaming arena, but also hotel rooms, a bar, and a load of entertainment services. The casino hub comes stacked with over 2,200 slot machines, including progressives. The sportsbook arena is well equipped enough that you can place stakes on pro football teams, basketball teams, hockey teams, baseball teams, and a whole lot more. The sportsbook has its unique restrictions. It is mainly open from Monday to Friday from 12 PM to 10 PM. On Saturdays, it is open from 11 AM – 10 PM, while on Sundays, it is open from 10 AM – 10 PM. The hotel comes with special services like free Wi-Fi, Iron and Board, Coffee maker, Makeup Mirror, and a whole lot more. Dover Downs is located at 1131 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE 19901, United States.
Delaware Park Casino
This is another top-tier casino in Delaware that has proven so far to be fully capable of handling betting services and a whole lot more. Delaware park comes correct with over 2000 soot machines, an array of table games options, a fully equipped poker room, and sports betting on both professional levels and college levels. The park also offers tasty dining options and a brewery to satiate your appetite as you play for cash. It would also interest you to know that the park is planning to bring onboard live horse racing from the 25th of May – to the 5th of November. Sports betting at this location can only take place on Monday to Saturday from 11 AM – 11 PM and on Sunday from 10 AM – 11 PM. The Delaware park casino is located at 777, Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE 19804, United States.
Betting on most popular Delaware Sports
In this section, we will be taking a close look at the different sports events that are majorly staked on in Delaware and discuss the popular bet types per event.
NFL
NFL is very massive in Delaware. It is so massive, a great deal of sports bets in the designated casinos are on NFL games. Here are some of the most popular bet types on the NFL in Delaware.
Points Spread
This option is the top option that’s widely staked on when it pertains to NFL betting in Delaware. The option is pretty much a very straightforward option that basically demands you bet on the possibility that a team will win by a specific number of points. If it goes your way, your bet will be considered won. Points Spread are usually represented like this, Team A(-3) or Team B(+3). If you are betting on Team A(-3) for instance, what this means is that the team has to win by more than 3 points for you to win your bet. However, if you bet on Team B (+3), this means that the only thing expected is for the team to win outright or not lose by more than 2 points.
Money line
This option is very much straightforward so it explains why it is one of the widely popular bet types in the NFL. What you are betting on, in this case, is the team to win outright without considering the win margins. The odds are also represented by (+) and (-) signs here as well. The team that has the (+) sign attached to it is seen as the underdog while the one with the (-) sign is the favorite.
Parlays
This is also a widely explored bet option in Delaware as it pertains to NFL betting. This type of betting is one of the most rewarding bet types because you are betting on more than one event. So, in this case, you are combining multiple selections in a single bet. The odds for those selections are multiplied, hence giving you room to win bigger. The higher the selections in your slip, the higher your winning potential.
Teasers
In this case, this option gives you a chance to subtract points on a favorite or add points from the points spread on an underdog in multiple games. A good way to look at teasers is like insurance. So basically, with teasers, if you have a tie for one of the games in your slip, the teaser is reduced to the next lowest number. For example, a 6-team teaser with one tie will become a 5-team teaser. While teasers are like Parlays, they tend to pay less than parlays because of the advantage it offers the bettors.
NBA
The NBA is the most popular basketball event and as such get the most attention from Delaware bettors and beyond. Here we will be looking at the top betting options that are explored by Delaware bettors in the NBA. If you want more info on NBA betting, read this article that gives you a better idea on NBA betting lines.
Points Spread
This option in the NBA is virtually like how it is structured in NFL betting. You are simply allowed to bet on which team wins by a stipulated point margin.
Parlays
This is quite the same with the parlays for NFL too. You are allowed to accumulate as many as eight teams in your parlay. As expected, a loss from any of the teams selected implies that your bet will be finalized as a loss as well. The payout potential for parlays is way more promising than you can attain with other bet types.
Teasers
Unlike the point teasers offered in the NFL, in the NBA, the points teasers offered are 4, 5, and 6 point teasers. As you are already aware, the teasers offer a slightly lower payout potential because it offers you some sort of advantage over the bookie.
MLB
This is the top recognized competition in Baseball. Here, we will be taking a close look at some of the baseball bet types that are widely explored by Delaware bettors.
Money line
Money line bets on baseball are basically centralized around who wins. As is the case with betting on Money lines in the NFL, the odds are represented with (-) or (+) signs attached to the teams. The team which has the (+) sign attached is the underdog while the one which has the (-) sign attached, is the favorite. All money lines are based on $100. What this means is that if you bet on a team with money line odds of -115, you must lay $115 to win $100.
Alternate and Reverse Run Lines
This is one option that William Hill, the major sportsbook provider in Delaware, offers on every Baseball game. They are unique. An alternate run line gives bettors the chance to lay 2 ½ runs on a favourite or remove 2 ½ runs from an underdog. What this implies is that, for the favourite to cover the alternate run line, it has to win by at least three runs while the underdog must lose by two runs or lower before it can cover the line. The reverse run lines run differently. In this case, bettors can lay 1 ½ run on an underdog for a mouthwatering payout and as well, take 1 ½ run from a favourite.
Featured Pitchers Options
In the case of betting on baseball games, you are allowed to apply any of the options started below:
● Action – Team against team, in this case, less care is placed on who the starting pitcher is.
● One specified pitcher – This is a wager on or against one standout pitcher with no care about the other starting pitcher.
● Both specified pitchers – In this case, both listed pitchers must start the game.
First Five Inning Wagering
As the name implies, this is the best option where the bet is decided once the first five innings of the game are completely exhausted.
Parlays
Parlays in baseball betting are a little different from what is attainable with football or basketball. In this case, you are allowed up to 10 teams in your parlay when betting on baseball games. One thing that doesn’t change is the fact that all teams are expected to win. However, in certain conditions like tie, rainout or cancellation, the parlay is reduced to the next lowest number of games.
NHL
Hockey is another sport that gets some attention from betting enthusiasts in Delaware. Some of the most explored betting options in Hockey, especially in Delaware are:
Money line
Here, you are basically betting on which teams win. The odds are equally represented in (+) and (-) as is the case with other sports that we have treated so far. It is also sufficient to add that the money lines on hockey bets are still based on $100.
Puck line Wagering
Aside from the money line wagering that’s the most popular bet type on hockey, puck line is another option that’s widely explored. This option either allows bettors to lay 1 ½ goals with a favorite at higher odds or lay lesser odds by taking 1 ½ goals with an underdog.
MMA
Aside from the other sports that’s been treated so far in this piece, MMA is another one that gets the attention of a great deal of bettors in Delaware. Here are some of the options that are explored on this sport:
Money line
The money line wager as it is the case with other sports that’s been discussed so far is very straightforward. Here, you are essentially betting on which fighter wins at the end of the fight. As it is the case with other sports, the favorite fighter is represented by a (-) sign attached to the odds while the underdog is represented by the (+) sign attached to the odds. The money line wagers in MMA pay based on $100 as well.
Round Proposition
This is an option that you may not find on all MMA fights, but is relatively available on top MMA fights. In this case, you are betting on the possibility of the number of rounds that the fight will go. This option cares less about who wins the fight, but focuses more attention on the number of rounds. The odds in this case are represented by Over/Under number of rounds. For example, if you bet on a fight to end in Over 10.5 rounds, this means that for you to win your bet, that fight has to end in 11 rounds and above.
DE Sports Betting FAQs
As a rule, you are required to be at least 21 years of age to be allowed to place bets at the different designations in Delaware. Once you find your way in any of the casinos, before placing bets for you, your I.D will be looked at to confirm your eligibility.
Regarding online sports betting Delaware, you are spoiled with options in terms of the sports options that are available to bet on. You can bet on sports like football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and a whole lot more.
The governing body responsible for regulating online sports betting in Delaware is the Delaware Lottery. This body has long been established since the legalization of sports betting in Delaware to proof check the operations of the operators. With this body set in place, the interests of Delaware residents are protected. As such, incidents of fraud by the operators are largely avoided
Yes. Sports betting has been legal in Delaware since 2018. It is important to note that online sports betting options are not available in the state. You are only left with betting at retail locations like the three main casinos in the state.
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As we have already established for most of this article, Delaware online sports betting is still pretty much unavailable. So, invariably there are no sports betting apps that are approved to operate in the state. However, a couple of Delaware residents explore the use of offshore online sports betting sites.
This is something we won’t advice because, in the event of issues regarding withdrawal of funds, you are likely to lose money. This is because the limits of the regulatory body in Delaware don’t extend to that region. So, it is advisable to make use of the retail outlets available in Delaware where you are covered, and wait until there are authorized sports betting apps in the state.
If you are a newbie into placing bets at shops, you might feel a bit apprehensive about going to the casinos to place bets for the first time. However, it is important to note that you have no cause to be worried about as it is very easy. Here are steps to follow:
● Go to your preferred location: In this article, we have listed three main casinos where you can place sports bets. Locate one of them and go there.
● Take up your spot: Most of these sportsbooks comes with a large number of seats with a screen in front where you can take your time to take your picks.
● Pick up your betting sheet: This sheet is very important because that’s where all the games and lines available by the sportsbook are detailed.
● Make your picks: from the betting sheets, you can have an idea of the games you want to place bets on. Write the 3-digit number of the game on your paper and signify the option you want to bet on for that game.
● Take your bet to the ticketing booth: Once you are done taking your picks, the next major step is to place them. Locate the ticketing booths or ask around for them. Take your paper where you have written your picks and tell them your stake.
Now that you have placed your bets, all you have to do is wait or come back later when your games would be over to check.
After placing your bets at the ticketing booth, you will be given a ticket that states your bets. Once you have seen that your bet has pulled through, all you have to do is take the ticket back there to cash out your winnings. It is very important to note that your ticket is very key to helping you cash out your winnings. Just take it as the cheque that allows you access to some funds. If you can’t provide the tickets, you won’t be given your winnings. By all means, ensure you protect your tickets.
To be successful with sports betting, it is very important to avoid the following mistakes:
● Following your heart instead of your head
When betting you have to do so with fewer emotions and more logic. Try not to be too sentimental about it. Always make sure your bets are solely based on logic, not what you think will give you the biggest wins.
● Having no strategy
Having no strategy is the easiest to maintain a steady losing streak in betting. You are better positioned to win when you have a clear-cut strategy that works and stick to it. While that strategy might not be 100%, being at least 70% will guarantee you profit in the long run.
● Having no limit
This is one common betting mistake that has rendered a lot of bettors bankrupt. Always have a set limit to the amount you can spend on betting within a particular period. Once that limit has been reached it is imperative to stop. By doing this, you don’t risk going bankrupt.
● Betting randomly
Most times, there is a lot of information that is likely to influence the direction of a game. If you are just betting randomly, you risk losing the bet, because you aren’t privy to this information. So, before betting on a game, do your research, check the latest news as regards the game to know the best bet to take on that game.
Yes. Horse racing has been legal in Delaware since 2018. So, you are not limited to betting on sports alone. Interestingly, there are two major racing tracks in Delaware, which are Delaware Park and Dover Downs. It is also very important to note that all the casinos in Delaware offer odds on horse racing. So, if horse racing is your thing, you can explore any of the casinos to place bets
Technically, nobody can apply for Delaware sports betting license. Currently, the three casinos in the state share the sports betting license and as such share the cost of the license.
History of Delaware Sports Betting
To best cover the history of Delaware online sports betting, we have to understand what PASPA was and how the overturning of PASPA fostered the legalization of sports betting in the state.
The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act is the law set in place in 1992 that reinforced the restriction of sports betting in every state aside from Nevada. The essence of the bill was to restrict the spread of sports betting in all states. In their words, it was to preserve the integrity of games. At the time, it was assumed that sports betting caused the high rollers to have a hand in the outcome of games by bribing game officials.
Interestingly, at the time, one of the key propellers of that bill was New Jersey’s senator, Bill Brady. New Jersey had a chance to legalize sports betting within the one-year timeframe, however, they ceased to do so.
On the 14th of May 2018, things changed for the better as New Jersey won the case to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. This win gave room for the legalization of sports betting in Delaware, seeing as PASPA was the stumbling block all along.
This fight was not one in a blink. To put things in better perspective, it took New Jersey seven years in their clash against the NCAA which used the PASPA as a major shield. Seven years later, when it eventually got to the United States Supreme Court, New Jersey won the case which reinforced the legalization of sports betting in neighboring states.
After the overturning of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, it took Delaware till June 5th, when three casinos were built to accommodate sports betting. The first accepted sports bet was on the 14th of June 2018.
Underwhelming growth so far
So far, the three casinos built have been the major sports betting hubs in the state. Though it is quite disappointing that Delaware have not made much progress with attracting online sports betting apps. There is still a possibility that in the nearest future there will be a large offering of online sports betting platforms available in the state.
In essence, to place bets in Delaware, your options are limited to three casinos: Delaware Park Casino, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway.