A Delaware online gambling expansion bill received the support needed to advance in the state’s General Assembly.
The Delaware House Administration Committee voted in favor of House Bill 365 on Wednesday, May 22. It now advances to the House Appropriations Committee, where Delaware House members must hold a hearing on the bill within 12 legislative days.
Users have been able to bet on sports in the state since 2018, but BetRivers remains the only online Delaware sports betting option. That could change if the General Assembly and Gov. John Carney sign off on HB 365.
Democrats Support More Delaware Online Gambling Apps
Democrats control the House and Senate, as well as the governor’s office. The online betting bill appears to have support within the majority party, based on an April 11 statement from House Democrats.
District 16 State Rep. Franklin D. Cooke co-sponsored HB 365. He reviewed betting and revenue from neighboring legal sports betting states to help craft the Delaware bill.
“I’m confident we’re more than ready to get this bill through the legislature and onto the Governor’s desk,” he said.
Senator and fellow Democrat Spiros Mantzavinos also voiced his support in the April press release.
“Regardless of whether we’re talking about consumer products or sportsbooks, the consumer benefits from healthy competition in the marketplace.
“By creating a regulatory structure that allows our casinos to partner with multiple sportsbooks, we can better ensure legal gaming sites are providing consumers with the best value.”
What’s Inside HB 365
BetRivers is live in Delaware and is licensed by an internet sports lottery operator. HB 365 would allow the state’s three online lottery vendors to host two sports betting brands each, for a potential total of six sports betting apps.
However, the Delaware online gambling bill may not create a wave of new launches. BetRivers is already established in the state. In addition, the state’s relatively small market of 1 million residents may or may not warrant interest from other national brands like FanDuel and DraftKings.
Through three months of 2024 Delaware sports betting revenue:
- The handle (amount wagered on sports events) was $49.8 million.
- Delaware reported about $3.8 million in revenue.
- The revenue generated about $2.2 million in taxes.
If HB 365 is signed into law, sports betting operators would pay the state $500,000 for a five-year license. The money would go into the state’s general fund. The bill taxes monthly gross gaming receipts at 18% as well.
The bill allocates 1.5% of the taxable revenue to the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and/or Delaware Harness Racing Commission. Another 3.5% goes to problem gambling education and assistance programs.
Because the bill includes a new state fee, it will need a 60% supermajority to pass each chamber of the Delaware General Assembly. The legislative session is scheduled to end on June 30.
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