Less than four months after mobile sports wagering became legal in Delaware, state lawmakers are considering allowing competition.
Rush Street Interactive, through their BetRivers brand, launched sports wagering sites in partnerships with Delaware's three racetracks: Bally's Dover, Delaware Park, and Harrington Raceway in December.
Now, Rep. Franklin Cooke (D-South Wilmington) has introduced HB 365, which would allow the three racetracks to each partner with up to two sports wagering sites.
That could mean that sites like FanDuel, DraftKings, and others could eventually have a pathway into Delaware.
At the moment, anyone looking to wager on sports within Delaware have three options:
- Going to Delaware Park, Bally's Dover, or Harrington Raceway
- Doing a minimum three-game NFL-only parlay at approved lottery sites
- Downloading the app connected to one of the three racetracks and using the BetRivers interface
Mobile sports gaming companies would be required to pay $500,000 for a five-year license, and return 18% of their proceeds back to the state and an additional 1.5% to the horse racing industry associated with their casino, thoroughbred (Delaware Park) or harness (Bally's Dover and Harrington).
They would also be required to make up for any lost revenue the horse racing industry might lose through the expansion of internet sports lotteries.
Of the money going to the state, $400,000 or 3.5%, whichever is higher, would go to the Delaware Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health to assist with the treatment of compulsive gambling.
The Delaware Lottery, which runs all gambling in the First State, would have 5 months to put initial regulations in place, which means even if the bill is expedited, new companies might not be certified in time for the start of the NFL in early September.
The bill has been assigned to the House Administration Committee.
HB 365 would still ban Delawareans from wagering on University of Delaware and Delaware State University sporting events.
