Delaware Sports Betting
Quick links On this page
- Delaware betting apps
- Delaware promos and bonuses
- Delaware sports betting quick facts
- Delaware sports betting key developments and updates
- How to bet in Delaware
- Delaware legal sports betting history
- Sports leagues to bet on
- Delaware retail sportsbooks
- Delaware sports betting tax & handle
- Growth of sports betting 📈
- Delaware sports betting FAQ
Delaware betting apps
Delaware sports betting law allows for mobile wagering – and has since its introduction in 2018. And yet, users in the first state in the union are still waiting for their first crack at online sports betting. It doesn’t sound like anything is imminent, either, with the state’s only current sportsbook operator citing sky-high start-up costs as a point of concern.
Delaware promos and bonuses
The addition of mobile sports betting in Delaware â should it ever come to pass â will mean plenty of bonuses and offers for anyone making wagers within state lines. We encourage everyone to maximize their bonus and offer exposure, since many of these first-time inducements result in real cash landing in sports bettorsâ accounts, with little playthrough required (for the most part).
For now, bettors can participate in Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS). For more information, check out our guide to the best DFS sites.
Delaware sports betting quick facts
đ Launch Date | June 5, 2018 |
đ° # of Betting Sites | One |
đ± Online Sports Betting | â No |
đ° Retail Sports Betting | â Yes |
đ„ïž Online Casino | â No |
đ Retail Casino | â Yes |
đ College Sports Betting | â Yes (but not on in-state teams) |
đ 2022 Population (est.) | 1.01 million |
đ” 2021 Betting Handle | $121.9 million |
đž Tax Rate | 50 percent (revenue share) |
Delaware sports betting key developments and updates
Nov. 2024: The Delware Lottery reports $24.5 million in sports betting handle for October, more than double what was collected a year prior.
May 2024: The Delaware online sports betting market could be expanding, thanks to H.B. 365. The bill hopes to offer two mobile sports betting licenses to each of Delaware's three casinos.
How to bet in Delaware
1. Choose your sportsbook
When online sports betting is introduced in DE, you can consult our top list for the best sports betting options available to you. Our interactive list will allow you to sort sportsbooks based on a number of criteria, including banking options, bonuses and quality of customer service.
If youâre looking for more information before making your choice, be sure to check out our detailed, unbiased reviews for each of the top sportsbooks in Delaware once online sports betting becomes a reality. This is especially important if you want to understand how each bookâs bonus offers work.
2. Register online
Registration requirements will vary slightly by sportsbook, but most follow the same protocols. Be sure to have your personal information (name, address, phone number) and credit card details (number, expiry date, CVV) handy.
3. Deposit and claim your bonus
Once youâre comfortable with how your sportsbookâs new sign-up bonus works, it will be time to make your initial deposit and claim that sweet bonus. The majority of first-time offers for Delaware residents should come in one of two forms:
- First bet insurance: This offer guarantees you a refund on your first wager if it is graded as a loss. The sportsbook will refund your initial bet amount (up to a specific limit) either as cash or as site credit.
- Deposit match: This offer sees the sportsbook match your initial deposit dollar-for-dollar, though there are two caveats. The deposit match will come with a maximum limit, and in the majority of cases you will be required to âplay throughâ your initial deposit by a certain multiple in order to earn the bonus.
4. Select and finalize your bet
Congratulations! Youâre ready to place a wager. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the app interface before diving in. Most mobile operators make it easy for new sports bettors to navigate, but itâs still a good idea to know where everything is.
From there, you can place any type of wager you like; the most popular bet types are the moneyline, spread or total. You can also dive into team or player props, or even kick things off with a futures bet.
Once you have the desired wager(s) in your betting card, take one last look to ensure youâve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply click the âBetâ button â and youâre off!
Delaware legal sports betting history
It shouldnât surprise anyone to see Delaware sprint into the legal sports betting space given the stateâs history.
Lawmakers had tried to legalize the practice nearly a decade earlier in 2009; The state Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Jack Markellâs expansion into single-game sports betting was legal, but the federal government did not share that sentiment, and Markellâs bid was effectively shut down by a U.S. Circuit court.
Hereâs a look at the rest of Delawareâs sports betting history:
2018-19: Delaware First to Go Live
If this were a 100-meter sprint, Delaware would have been the fastest state out of the blocks â even quicker than New Jersey.
Within a week of the decision to repeal PASPA, state officials ruled that no further legislation was required to move ahead with legal single-game sports betting. Gov. John Carney announced at the end of May that the state would move ahead with a June 5 launch â and thatâs exactly what happened.
The State saw immediate dividends, with four straight months of $20+ million in handle to end the year (resulting in roughly $9.4 million in tax revenue).
2020-21: DE Handle Slow to Rebound
Did the bloom come off the rose in Delaware?
The COVID-19 pandemic certainly didnât help matters, with the North American sports calendar grinding to a virtual complete stop. The state didnât report any handle from April through June, and pulled in just over $200,000 in July.
Yet, while most states saw significant make-up handle in the final four months of 2020, Delaware didnât quite bounce back to its 2019 levels. The state took in just $64.7 million in that span, down from $72 million the previous year.
The 2021 calendar year opened with optimism (thanks to a $15.6 million showing in January) but never really gained steam. Delaware saw just one month with more than $16 million in handle, and actually lost nearly $1 million in revenue in December.
2022: Tax Revenues Slow to a Crawl
Delawareâs downward sports betting spiral continued into 2022, with January seeing just $12.6 million in handle. The next three months were equally as disappointing, producing a combined $131,000 in tax revenue.
Responsible Gaming in Delaware
Like most U.S. states, Delaware has put safeguards in place to ensure that bettors have a way out of any potential trouble spots.
The Delaware Council on Gambling Programs is the stateâs main resource for players looking to deal with their gambling issues. The site features several resources, including a self-assessment quiz, access to counselors and other options for those interested in helping loved ones who might be struggling with gambling problems.
Visit the Delaware Council on Gambling Programs site.
National U.S. gambling helpline: 1-800-GAMBLER
Sports leagues to bet on
It will come as no surprise to see a rather extensive list of major professional and amateur sports available to Delaware bettors â a list that includes (but is not limited to):
- NFL
- NBA
- MLB
- NHL
- NCAAF
- NCAAB
- Golf
- Auto Racing
- Tennis
- Soccer
- MMA
- Esports
That doesnât leave much off the table, but there are three major markets in which wagering in Delaware is prohibited:
- Betting on in-state collegiate teams
- Politics
- Entertainment (including awards shows)
Sports bettors can check out the top sportsbooks for specific sports, leagues, playoffs, and categories:
Delaware retail sportsbooks
Sports bettors looking to scratch their single-game wagering itch in Delaware have only three options to choose from â and all use the same sportsbook. The trio of casinos use William Hill lines and markets thanks to an agreement between the global gaming giant and the Delaware Lottery.
Here are the places where you can bet in person in Delaware:
Delaware Park Casino (Sports Book, 777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, DE, 19804)
Ballyâs Dover Race and Sportsbook (Sports Book, 1131 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, DE, 19901)
Harrington Raceway & Casino (Sports Book, 15 West Rider Road, Harrington, DE, 19952)
Delaware sports betting tax & handle
Hereâs a look at Delawareâs monthly sports betting handle beginning in 2018:
2018
Month | Handle |
June | $7 million |
July | $8.2 million |
August | $8 million |
September | $23.3 million |
October | $21.2 million |
November | $24.2 million |
December | $23.4 million |
Total | $115.3 million |
2019
Month | Handle |
January | $14.1 million |
February | $8.7 million |
March | $10.5 million |
April | $6.1 million |
May | $5.9 million |
June | $6.3 million |
July | $3.9 million |
August | $4.7 million |
September | $18.8 million |
October | $16.1 million |
November | $16.9 million |
December | $20.5 million |
Total | $132.5 million |
2020
Month | Handle |
January | $11.2 million |
February | $7.3 million |
March | $3.9 million |
April | --- |
May | --- |
June | --- |
July | $0.2 million |
August | $3 million |
September | $12.4 million |
October | $17.1 million |
November | $19.5 million |
December | $15.7 million |
Total | $90.3 million |
2021
Month | Handle |
January | $15.6 million |
February | $7.5 million |
March | $6.7 million |
April | $5.5 million |
May | $7.1 million |
June | $6.0 million |
July | $4.1 million |
August | $5.3 million |
September | $13.7 million |
October | $22.2 million |
November | $15.6 million |
December | $12.6 million |
Total | $121.9 million |
2022
Month | Handle |
January | $12.6 million |
February | $5.4 million |
March | $5.2 million |
April | $4.2 million |
May | $5.1 million |
June | $3.5 million |
July | $2.7 million |
August | $2.9 million |
September | $8.9 million |
October | $13.5 million |
November | $10.2 million |
Total | $74.2 million |
Growth of sports betting 📈
When the U.S. Supreme Court repealed PASPA in 2018, the growth of legal sports betting in the United States skyrocketed. Close to three dozen states have since legalized some form of sports betting, with the most common legislation including the licensing of online sportsbooks and mobile betting apps. Check our legal sports betting tracker to find out more about any state you're interested in.
Over the past few years, large states like Ohio and Massachusetts have enjoyed massively successful online betting launches. Sports fans get an extra way to engage with their favorite teams, and the states earn plenty of much-needed revenue from licensing fees and taxes.
More recently, legal North Carolina sports betting arrived on March 11, 2024, bringing eight of the best sportsbooks in the country to the Tar Heel state. And with events like the Copa America and Euro 2024 soccer tournaments happening all Summer long, the excitement and opportunities for sports betting enthusiasts continue to grow.
Delaware sports betting FAQ
Can I legally wager on sports in Delaware?
Yes! Sports betting has been legal in Delaware since June 2018; the state was the first outside of Nevada to offer legal sports wagering via its three casinos.
Am I permitted to bet in Delaware even if I don’t live there?
You can create an account, deposit, make bets and even withdraw using any active sportsbook in Delaware, as long as you are within state borders. Be sure to complete all of your transactions before you leave; once you’re outside the state, you will no longer be able to access your account(s).
How big is the Delaware sports betting market?
Only DC, Alaska, North Dakota and South Dakota have fewer people than Delaware, which boasts a population of just under one million (2022 estimate).
Who is responsible for overseeing sports betting in Delaware?
The Delaware Lottery oversees sports betting regulation in the state.
Which online sportsbooks will be the first to launch in Delaware?
Don’t hold your breath, folks. With only one operator in the state – and a local one at that – it’s highly unlikely that we’ll see a betting expansion of any kind in Delaware, let alone one that allows for large-scale online wagering.