Sports betting, casino table games possibility in Delaware

Delaware's three racetrack casinos are working hard on fending off the increasing gambling competition from neighboring states, now legalizing casino table games and sports betting are being proposed. The Delaware Video Lottery Advisory Council, a gaming industry group, is placing top priority on legalizing sports betting and casino tables games as a way to stay competitive in an ever-shrinking market, according to reports. Delaware is one of only four states, that was exempted from a 1992 federal law banning sports gambling and the group is now looking to take advantage of the exemption and attract more visitors to the the racetrack casinos, which currently only offer slots. "We are actively working on sports betting," state lottery director Wayne Lemons was quoted.

According to state legislators, the slot machine competition from Maryland alone will cost the state's coffers $10 million in 2010 and as much as $70 million in 2011. Facing these figures and a half a billion budget deficit, many experts predict that Delaware has a good chance of legalizing sports betting and to some extend casino table games.

Published on 12/10/2008