Legal Online Gambling in

Delaware

Known as the First State, Delaware was also the first state state to allow sports betting, living up to its nickname. Although sports betting is available in full, wagering is permitted only at one of the three land-based casinos. Betting on sports online is not yet legal but it is in the works and should be available soon.

Delaware

Legal online gambling options: Casino, Poker

Delaware Online Gambling - At A Glance

Online sports betting: Not Legal ❌

Online casinos & poker: Legal ✅

Land-based casinos & sportsbooks: Legal ✅

Remote sign-up: No ❌

Legal online gambling since: June 2012

Legal DW gambling age: 21+

Online gambling guide
Delaware flag

Your guide to Legal Online Gambling in Delaware

At UnitedGamblers, we strive to provide you with the best and most respected gambling sites in Delaware. Whether you like to find a sports betting site or an online casino, we have you covered!

First once again. Delaware was also the first state state to allow sports betting. Looking for a favorite site? You can be sure we can help you find a site that will suit your needs.

Frequently asked questions about Delaware gambling

If you want to read more specific details about gambling in Delaware, we suggest you dig deeper into this text, or check our the more specific sports betting or casino-pages. Otherwise, here is a quick run-down of the most important nuggets of knowledge.

Is it legal to bet in Delaware?

Yes, sports betting is legal in Delaware. Wagering is up and running and is permitted at any of the three land-based casinos.

When did it become legal?

On June 5th, 2018. Delaware became the first to offer sports betting in full post-PASPA.

Which casinos can I place bets in Delaware?

Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway.

Can I set up an account online or via app?

No, not at this time. Betting on sports online is not yet legal but should be available in full pretty soon.

How do I sign up for betting in Delaware?

Bettors are required to pay a visit one of Delaware’s three casinos in order to set up and account and place bets.

How do bet promos work?

Betting promos are incentives used to attract new players to sign up with a casino in Delaware. Promos tend to be a monetary amount given by the company or a number of free bets.

What is a Player Rewards Card?

Sports bettors can sign up for a Player Rewards Card and receive exclusive benefits such as special promos and important updates.

Is sports betting safe?

Yes. Since you have to physically go to the casinos to register, deposit funds or withdraw, betting is 100% safe.

Sports Betting in Delaware

Each state in the US now has the power to implement legalized sports betting thanks to the downing of the PASPA act. New Jersey, responsible for challenging the law in the first place, have been joined by Pennsylvania, Mississippi, West Virginia, Rhode Island and of course Nevada in choosing to enact the new law and welcome the industry.

For Delaware, also part of the exclusive group to take advantage of the new ruling, it has been a case of simply expanding sports betting for its patrons, making for a simpler transition compared to some.

Evolution, not revolution in Delaware

The “First State” was considered one of four (Nevada, Montana and Oregon being the other three) exempt from the original law on sports betting in place since 1992. Via the state lottery, sports betting was permitted in the shape of three-team NFL parlays.

The state had always harboured ambitions of opening up the industry completely though. With the general assumption that PASPA was to be downed, it came as no surprise to hear the lawmakers of Delaware using the existing sports betting law in order to expand the industry and offer sports betting in its entirety.

And on June 5th, just three weeks on from the landmark ruling, Governor John Carney was placing the first legal sport wager.

Delaware became the first in the US to take advantage of the favourable ruling by the Supreme Court.

Just as Delaware led the way in becoming the “First State” of the modern United States of America, it also became the first to offer sports betting in full post-PASPA, living up to its nickname whilst pipping New Jersey in the process.

Where does Delaware stand on online sports betting?

As you might expect, patrons of Delaware have welcomed the opportunity to bet legally on sports with welcome arms. It’s believed casinos in the state took almost $40 million in bets in the first three months of the new law being passed. Considering the population consists of less than 1 million people, that’s some appetite for sports betting!

Nevertheless, the figures bandied about do not feature anything in terms of online wagering. You’ll find a sportsbook at each of the three land-based options within the state: Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway in which you can wager online on the casino’s premises.

But as for being able to combine the idea of watching and betting on your favourite team from the comfort of your sofa, well it appears the “first state” are lagging behind somewhat.

Currently, bettors are required pay a visit one of Delaware’s three casinos mentioned above in order to set up and account and place bets, despite online gambling legislation being passed in 2013.

Although, this has yet to be fully enacted, betting online without the restriction of attending a casino will eventually be introduced. For the moment however, the sports betting industry is believed to be developing nicely without the complete flexibility many sports betting fans crave.

The lack of urgency may also have something to do with the small surface area of Delaware. All three casinos to be accessed conveniently regardless of where somebody lives so the call for online wagering isn’t as great as in some states such as West Virginia is simply a must.

How to set up a sports betting account in Delaware

As mentioned, punters can only bet on sports with an online account by visiting one of the following casinos in person:

· Delaware Park

· Dover Downs

· Harrington Raceway

Getting set-up with an account is usually a routine process which should take no more than between five and ten minutes in total. Just make sure you have all the essentials on you to make for a smooth experience, eg, identity card and a means of depositing money to and from your account, be it a credit or debit card.

You’ll also need to provide the casino with personal details such as your name, email address, date of birth, mobile number, etc.

The same you would setting up any other account such as a gym membership for example.

If all goes to plan, you’re likely to receive a membership card upon sign-up to confirm you as a customer of that casino.

Snapshot of basic laws & regulations for sports betting in Delaware:

- Sports betting available in full, including pre-existing NFL parlay wagering

- Wagering permitted at any of the three land-based casinos

- Betting on Delaware based teams prohibited

- Must be at least 21 years of age to place a bet

- Betting on sports online not yet legal

Legal online sports betting in DE is expected in the long run. The subject will be a hard one to ignore. A combination of the demand for it and the technology available will certainly see to this.

It’s only fair the lawmakers take a little time to assess the picture long-term though, especially only months into full-blown sports betting being launched.

The main topic of any discussion to be had will centre on whether the option to bet online will have a detrimental effect on the potential income of the three land-based casinos.

Without the footfall that comes from punters having to visit a casino, the possibility for any further wagering on slots or other games, is cut directly. Whether the land-based casinos could then prove sustainable in the long run would be the ultimate concern.

Popular forms of betting in Delaware

Since 2009, parlay cards have served as the only type of wager available for Delawareans. While, this was still more than most states could offer, such is the difficulty in calling a parlay right, rarely do bettors yield winnings of any note. Thankfully, this is now a thing of the past.

You’ll be glad to know that all types of wagers are now available in DE, bringing greater variety and, most importantly, a greater chance of winning.

If you’re new to betting or even an avid punter, it’s useful to familiarize yourself with the various forms of wagers you can now make in your state – some you may not have come across before.

There’s often little difference in the types of bet found in a sportsbook, be it physical or online. Thus, expect to eventually find the same options available online, as you’re likely to come across in the land-based casinos currently.

Most popular types of sports wagers in DE:

  • Straight bet

A straight bet is an individual wager on a game or event determined by a point spread, moneyline or totals bet. Given the potential to win and its simple nature, this is by far the most popular way to bet.

- Point spread

Here, you’re calling the margin of points in which the favoured team must win by. If the team you back fails to cover the spread set, your bet loses.

  • Moneyline

No need to call the margin of victory, just simply who is going to win. The odds offered represent the team’s perceived chance of winning the match based on form, strength of team, home advantage etc. The favourite is assigned a minus value, the underdog a positive value. Naturally, if you decide to back the team deemed favourites, you will need to stake more money on them to yield a sizeable return. Since they are expected to win, odds will be lower and represent less value, making a larger stake necessary to make more than just a few bucks.

  • Totals (Over/Under Bets)

An alternative to calling the victor or winning margin, betting on the total amount of points or goals is also considered a popular straight bet. The lines set by the sportsbook are based on form, stats, player availability, pretty much any factor which may influence the total amount of points accumulated or goals scored. The bet comes with two options: Over the line or Under the line.

  • Proposition bet

Your bet will comprise of an occurrence or non-occurrence happening within the chosen game or event. For instance, which team will score the first touchdown? This type of bet comes to prominence around big events such as the Superbowl.

  • Future

As the name suggests, this is not a bet that will be determined straight away. Typically, a bet is placed prior to a competition starting with the wager decided on conclusion of that event. You may want to wager on which team or teams makes it through to the Playoffs of the Stanley Cup, or where the NY Knicks will finish in the Eastern Conference, for example.

  • Parlay

If you’re not familiar with a parlay, are you really a true Delawarean? All jokes aside, there’s the potential for a large return to be made from small relatively small bet. However, the chances of winning are relatively small compared to other forms of wagering.

To play, you choose between two and ten teams to parlay, with all selections needing to come true for the bet to win. The difficulty lies in having to rely on too many teams for a bet to get over the line. So even if you choose nine correct selections of a ten-team parlay and one team fails, the bet is a losing one.

  • Teaser

Often called a “two-team teaser”, this type of bet featured as part of the parlay system so you may have heard of it or even played it before. A player may adjust the point spreads of two games in his/her favour in exchange for a lower return in the event of the bet winning.

Sports teams in Delaware

Whereas some states are fortunate to have numerous teams in the big four leagues, residents in other states tend to be scratching for a team of good standing to follow. Made up of a series of teams to have relocated or playing in minor leagues, Delaware certainly falls into the latter category, perhaps not the biggest shock though considering DE is the second smallest state with less than 1 million populants.

Three cheers for nearby Philadelphia then who offer residents of DE the chance to follow sport across the major league.

With teams across the four major leagues – MLB, NFL, NBA and NHL, as well as in the developing MLS, you tend to find a strong following of sports fans from DE, crossing the border into sports betting heaven in Pennsylvania - let’s not forget, sports betting is up and running in PA too.

Most popular sports teams for Delaware:

Philadelphia Phillies (MLB)

In the East Division of the National League The Phillies have won two MLB World Series titles and reeled off five successive East Division titles between 2007 and 2011. Founded in 1883, the Philadelphia Phillies are the oldest, continuous, one-name, as well as one-city franchise in any American professional sport.

Philadelphia Eagles (NFL)

The Eagles play in the Eastern division of the National Football Conference and were known as perennial underachievers until they clinched their first ever SuperBowl title in 2017.

- Recommended types of bet for NFL betting: point spread, parlays,

Philadelphia 76ers (NBA)

The Sixers are synonymous as one of America’s great sporting institutions. With its rich history and the many legends that have turned out in south Philly down the years, the team attracts a huge following across the whole of the US.

- Recommended types of bet for NBA betting: point spread, totals,

Philadelphia Flyers (NHL)

The Flyers share a fascinating and unrivalled rivalry with Pittsburgh Penguins. They have two Stanley Cup wins in the early 70’s to their name with the last of their eight Conference championships coming in 2010.

- Recommended types of bet for NHL betting: money line

Philadelphia Union (MLS)

Founded in 2008, the U’s are a new face among the ever-growing list of franchises to pop up in the MLS. Little history to speak of then but they posted a strong sixth place finish in the 2018 Eastern Conference and appear to be making solid progress under the stewardship of coach Jim Curtin.

- Recommended types of bet for MLS betting: money line, points spread, totals, parlay

Tip: Prop bets and futures apply to the majority, if not all, major sports leagues.