Delaware Acts Quickly to Legalize Sports Betting

The most vital piece of news from the last week, and perhaps several past months, was the sudden overturn of the nation-wide sports betting ban that the US Supreme Court unleashed after granting New Jersey the permission to authorize sports betting operations within their borders. This, of course, initiated an avalanche of activities from operators, casinos, betting companies, sporting leagues and organizations alike, with stock prices of them all soaring high the minute the Supreme Court decision was announced.

Among those quickest to react was the state of Delaware, who aims to become the first state to declare the legalization of sports betting after the Supreme Court ruling from last Tuesday. Since the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act has been removed, US states are no longer blocked from launching a regulated market and legalizing sports betting activities individually. Delaware could overtake New Jersey in the race for the title of a first state with legal sports betting.

John Carney, Delaware’s Governor, commented that, “state officials have not yet identified legal obstacles that would stop Delaware from expanding its current NFL American football parlay system and offer a full sports wagering service.”

The state’s Department of Finance also remarked on the occasion, remarking: “Following Monday’s ruling by the US Supreme Court and consultation with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, we are confident that Delaware has the legal and regulatory authority to authorise sports gaming in Delaware. The Delaware Lottery has had plans in place for months, and we will begin training lottery and casino staff early next week. We will continue to provide public updates as we prepare to launch full-scale sports gaming in Delaware next month.”

It is anticipated that the first wagering options should be made available by early June. Delaware is only one of three states that has legalized online gambling for their players – New Jersey and Nevada are the other two.

Source:

“Delaware Set to Legalize Sportbetting”, Jermalowicz Dustin, casinolistings.com, May 18, 2018.