Legal Sports Betting is Good for Delaware

The US state of Delaware reported to the American gambling news a rise of almost 40 percent in parlay card sales in the month of August.

In August 2012, Delaware agreed to expand sports betting opportunities to 31 new locations including restaurants, bars and nightclubs. The new venues came as an addition to the state’s three existing casinos: the Delaware Park Racetrack and Slots in Wilmington, Dover Downs in Dover, Harrington Raceway and Casino in Harrington.

Delaware, often calling itself The Small Wonder, was the fourth state to allow residents to bet on sports in US earlier this year. Currently, wagers are limited to those on National Football League (NFL) games only.

The Diamond State also passed a regulation in accordance with the federal American gambling laws to legalize online wagering on slots and table games under the control and operation of the Delaware Lottery.

The tax revenue generated from the new gambling facilities is used to decrease the fees currently paid by the casinos. The casinos intend to use these savings for the improvement of their services and pay off any outstanding debt.

According to State Lottery director Vernon Kirk, wagering on games increased 52 percent during the first two weeks of the NFL season.

Kirk commented on the rise of revenues: “The gratifying thing for us is that there has been not only no cannibalization from the racetracks – we were holding our breath – but their sales have gone up considerably”.

Delaware estimates it could bring in up to $7.75m from sports betting this year. Several new venues are expected to apply for gambling licenses statewide.