A new bill could expand Delaware’s sports betting market to include up to six sportsbooks. House Bill 365 is before the state’s 152nd General Assembly. The bill seeks to amend Title 29 of the Delaware Code Relating To The Lottery, which currently includes the framework for Delaware’s legal sports betting market. As of this writing, only BetRivers is available for sports bettors in Delaware. The Rush Stree Interactive outlet replaced 888 after the latter’s five-year run came to an end.
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About House Bill 365
HB 365 is sponsored by state Representatives Frank Cooke and William Bush. Representative Michael Smith co-sponsors the bill. Rep. William Bush told Delaware Business Now:
“It’s important that Delaware remains competitive and responsive to the preferences of its residents. By providing Delawareans with a larger mobile sports wagering market, similar to those thriving in neighboring states, we can level the playing field and bring in a new source of revenue for our state.”
Right now, Delaware’s regulatory framework allows one operator to partner with the state’s three retail casinos (Delaware Park, Bally, and Harrington Raceway & Casino). The bill, if passed, would allow up to five more operators to join the fray. The licensing would cost $500,000 for a five-year period with a renewal fee of $250,000 for an additional five years. The tax rate is 18 percent of adjusted gross sports lottery receipts.
HB 365 is currently assigned to the Delaware House Administration Committee.
Which Sportsbooks Could Come To Delaware?
If House Bill 365 becomes law and new sportsbooks are allowed to launch in Delaware, DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and Caesars Sportsbook are a few obvious contenders. These are the big names in sports betting, and any one of them could shell out $500,000 for a license upfront. Fanatics is another possibility, especially considering the late entrant is looking to carve out market share in various states. ESPN BET could also be a top contender. Time will tell, and we’ll track the progress of HB 365 as we hear more from the state’s legislature.
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