Delaware Sports Betting September 2024: Your Guide to Legal Online Sportsbooks & More
Coming second only to Nevada, Delaware was one of the first states to legalize in-person sports betting. This move was promising for the state to become a hub of sports betting, but it took another 5+ years for online sports betting to roll out.
Bettors in First State can now bet with the one online sportsbook that’s live. Learn more about Delaware sports betting in this guide that discusses the lone platform, details on the state’s history with sports betting, and much more.
Online Sports Betting Sites in Delaware
While they only had access to retail sportsbooks for many years, Delaware residents can now bet online. Legal online sports betting has been available to the public since January 2024 and is regulated by the Delaware Lottery Office.
Here’s a look at the mobile sports betting options in Delaware:
BetRivers
Currently, the only online sportsbook available in Delaware is BetRivers. Parent company Rush Street Interactive took over 888 as the vendor of the state’s iGaming contract, which was previously inactive. BetRivers went live with a soft launch on December 27, 2023, and became fully available on January 3, 2024.
Though BetRivers has an essential monopoly over the state’s mobile sports betting market, it offers a solid product that compensates for the lack of choice. Users can take advantage of perks like the iRush Rewards program, competitive betting odds, and a smooth app.
The current welcome offer at BetRivers Sportsbook is a 2nd Chance Bet Up To $250, so take advantage of it today. You don’t need a BetRivers Sportsbook promo code—just sign up through the website, opt in, and adhere to the terms and conditions.
Whether you’re on the desktop site or mobile app, you’re able to seamlessly switch between the BetRivers sportsbook and casino products. The casino platform features hundreds of slots, table games, and more along with fantastic promotions.
If you’re looking for the best NFL betting apps or best NBA betting apps in the state, BetRivers wins since its your only option at the moment.
Retail Sportsbooks in Delaware
The Delaware online sports betting scene might be a little scarce, but there are a few more retail options for those interested in in-person wagering. Retail locations officially went live on June 5, 2018, and like online sportsbooks, are regulated by the Delaware State Lottery Office.
Here are the retail sportsbook locations in the First State:
- Delaware Park
- Bally’s Dover Hotel & Casino Race & Sportsbook
- Harrington Raceway & Casino’s Murphy’s Race/Sportsbook & Grill
Sports Betting Alternatives in Delaware
With few retail sportsbooks and even fewer online sportsbooks, Delaware bettors might look for alternatives.
Here are some other ways to have stakes in your favorite events:
Daily Fantasy Sports in Delaware
DFS sites have been legal in Delaware since July 26, 2017, when Gov. John Carney signed the Delaware Interactive Fantasy Contest Act. Platforms like Drafters and FanDuel operate under the jurisdiction of the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement, meaning you can play with confidence.
Here’s a closer look at some available DFS sites and their welcome offers in Delaware:
| 🎮 Delaware DFS Site | 💰 Delaware DFS Welcome Bonus |
| FanDuel DFS | Earn A 100% Deposit Match Up To $100! No FanDuel DFS promo code needed—sign up via our link! |
| Drafters | 100% DEPOSIT MATCH UP TO $100 No Drafters promo code needed—sign up via our link! |
Social Sportsbooks in Delaware
Social sportsbooks mimic traditional sportsbooks in many ways, as you’ll find many of the same betting markets and leagues. The key differences are the use of virtual currency and the emphasis on community interaction.
You can “bet” with gold coins that have no monetary value while sharing your wagers and heckling friends. If you participate in the part of a social sportsbook that operates under sweepstakes regulations, you can win real money prizes!
Check out these Delaware social sportsbooks along with their signup bonuses so you can get started today:
| 💬 Delaware Social Sportsbook | 💵 Delaware Social Sportsbook Welcome Bonus |
| Fliff | Spend $50, Get up to $100 in Fliff Coins! Use Fliff promo code GRINDERS |
| Thrillzz | Spend $10+ and Get $30 in Sweeps Coins! Use Thrillzz promo code GRINDERS |
| Rebet | Get 100% Deposit Match up to $100! Use Rebet promo code GRINDERS |
Horse Racing
Delaware has in-person racebooks and simulcast betting at these retail locations:
- Delaware Park in Wilmington
- Dover Downs in Dover
- Harrington Raceway in Harrington
You can also participate in legal online horse racing at licensed sites.
Delaware Sports Betting Legislative Landscape
Delaware’s Sports Lottery Rules and Regulations lays out everything you need to know about the state’s sports betting legislative landscape:
If you don’t want to dig into the document yourself, here are the highlights:
- Sports betting is fully legalized and regulated in the facilities of Delaware Lottery licensees (land-based casinos and racetracks)
- Wagers are accepted on all professional sports and most college sporting events (barring in-state teams and college props)
- Tax rates/fees for Delaware sports betting as per the regulations:
- 50% tax on gross sports gambling revenue
- 10% to Delaware horsemen for track purposes
Delaware Sports Betting History
When it comes to sports betting, Delaware is The Little State That Could. It’s not the biggest, most influential sports betting state, nor is it a place anybody would mistake for Las Vegas, Nevada.
Yet there was Delaware taking sports wagers on June 5, 2018, before any other state outside Nevada. Yes, even before New Jersey, the state responsible for convincing the Supreme Court to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, better known as PASPA.
It’s not all rose-colored glasses for Delaware, though. Despite winning the race to the sports betting market, Delaware was quickly pushed to the bottom of the sports betting food chain once states like New Jersey and West Virginia joined the fray.
It doesn’t help Delaware’s position that it only has three casinos allowed to offer sports betting: Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington. The delay in offering online sports betting also played a role in Delaware falling out of the sports betting spotlight.
Delaware’s Legal Sports Betting Timeline
Here’s a timeline of key events during Delaware’s journey to legal sports betting:
- 1992: Unlike most other states during the time of PASPA, Delaware actually had something in common with Nevada: it had a form of sports betting grandfathered in. At the time PASPA was passed in 1992, Nevada was the only state that offered a full suite of sports betting, including wagers on single games. While it didn’t have betting on the same scale, Delaware offered parlays of three or more NFL games and as such had been the only other state to offer a legal form of sports betting in the U.S.
- 2009: The state passed a bill that expanded sports betting to include single-game wagers. Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law, but soon after, Delaware lost a suit to major professional sports leagues that claimed the new bill and its regulations fell outside the scope of PASPA and was thus illegal. Despite losing the case, the 2009 bill was never formally repealed, which is significant because it positioned Delaware to implement sports betting quickly if PASPA were ever struck down.
- 2018: As fate would have it, New Jersey took up the fight, and the Supreme Court struck down PASPA as unconstitutional. With the previous bill sitting in wait, Governor John Carney was able to lead Delaware to its watershed moment on June 5 when it became the first state outside of Nevada to legalize sports betting. Carney placed the first official single-game sports bet in Delaware, a $10 wager on the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies won 6-1, making Carney a winner.
- 2024: Bettors in Delaware can now place online sports bets thanks to the launch of BetRivers Sportsbook in early January.
More Delaware Sportsbooks to Come?
BetRivers is currently the only online sportsbook option, but that could change soon. Rep. Frank Cooke and Rep. William Bush sponsored House Bill 365, which echoes the Internet Sports Lottery Legislative Working Group’s calls for a more competitive market. The bill is currently with the House Administration Committee for consideration, so stay tuned for more info on whether more sportsbooks will become a reality.
Responsible Gambling in Delaware
Responsible gambling should always be at the forefront. If you or a loved one is at risk, contact the following resources available to Delaware bettors:
- Call the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems at 888-850-8888
- Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER
Delaware Sports Betting FAQs
Get more answers on Delaware betting with the help of these FAQs:
Can you bet on sports in Delaware?
Yes! You can bet on sports in Delaware via an online sportsbook or at retail locations.
Are sports betting apps legal in Delaware?
Yes! Mobile sports betting has been legal since early January 2024. BetRivers is currently the only option, but more may come soon thanks to House Bill 365.
Will Delaware allow FanDuel Sportsbook?
Delaware may allow FanDuel Sportsbook if more mobile options are able to roll out. It depends on the operator’s ability to get a license here and whether it’s interested in expanding to this market. For now, you may play at FanDuel DFS as an alternative.
How does BetRivers work in Delaware?
When you open the BetRivers Sportsbook, you’ll have to choose whether you’re placing bets through the Harrington Raceway & Casino or the Delaware Park Casino & Racing. Alternatively, you can download the DE: Bally Casino by BetRivers app. This standalone app has ties to Bally’s Dover Casino Resort and features both sportsbook and casino offerings.
Who regulates and oversees sports betting in Delaware?
The Delaware Lottery regulates sports betting in Delaware.
Can you play DraftKings in Delaware?
Yes! You can use DraftKings to participate in DFS contests in Delaware, though the operator’s sportsbook is not yet legal in the First State.
What sports can I bet on in Delaware?
Delaware bettors can wager on most professional and college sports, with markets ranging from moneylines, totals, and futures to spreads and teasers. The only key restriction is no wagering on in-state teams or college props.
Does Delaware have online casino gambling?
Yes, Delaware has had online casino gambling since 2012. With BetRivers being the only legal sportsbook in the state and having a casino product integrated into its platform, you can easily switch between sports bets and table games, slots, etc.
Who can bet on sports in Delaware?
You can bet on sports as long as you’re 21+ and physically present in the state of Delaware (residency not required).