Delaware Sports Betting

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 – should it ever come to pass – 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 bettors’ 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

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 you’re 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 book’s 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 you’re comfortable with how your sportsbook’s 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 “play through” your initial deposit by a certain multiple in order to earn the bonus.

4. Select and finalize your bet

Congratulations! You’re 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 it’s 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 you’ve made the selections you want. If everything is good, simply click the “Bet” button – and you’re off!

Delaware legal sports betting history

It shouldn’t surprise anyone to see Delaware sprint into the legal sports betting space given the state’s history.

Lawmakers had tried to legalize the practice nearly a decade earlier in 2009; The state Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Jack Markell’s expansion into single-game sports betting was legal, but the federal government did not share that sentiment, and Markell’s bid was effectively shut down by a U.S. Circuit court.

Here’s a look at the rest of Delaware’s 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 – 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 – and that’s 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 didn’t help matters, with the North American sports calendar grinding to a virtual complete stop. The state didn’t 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 didn’t 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

Delaware’s 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 state’s 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 – a list that includes (but is not limited to):

• NFL
• NBA
• MLB
• NHL
• NCAAF
• NCAAB
• Golf
• Auto Racing
• Tennis
• Soccer
• MMA
• Esports

That doesn’t 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 – 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)

Bally’s 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

Here’s a look at Delaware’s monthly sports betting handle beginning in 2018:

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

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.