Delaware Sports Betting Bill to Take Off

The Bill that would enable Sports Betting in Delaware was recently passed by the Senate. A landslide victory of 17-2 pushed the Bill through Senate and onto the Governor's desk to be signed into law. More than a week ago, an equally biased "yes" came from the House, with a vote of 30-4. State Lawmakers, in the House at least, required a revisions and compromises to be made before they would accept the bill.

The compromised bill would change several things in Delaware regarding its gambling laws and the current system. The three casinos that currently exist in the state exclusively contain slots. The new Bill would allow them to include table games "as soon as possible." In addition to this, one of the casinos, Harrington Raceway and Casino, would be granted clemency in the form of lowered taxes if their revenue declines after the Bill is signed in. The original Bill required a four and a half million dollar licensing fee for sports betting, which should make fans of USA sportsbooks very happy,but the compromise reduced this to four million. Another portion of the Bill would increase the slot revenue generated by Delaware by 6.5 points.

Delaware has been in a financial valley for some time now. This Bill is expected to at least bring Delaware's money situation to a plateau. Critics say that this will hurt more than it will help. There is a school of thought that believes this Bill will fail, as Delaware tried a parlay system that failed miserably in the 1970's. Lobbyists have been running rampant to try to prevent the Bill, but efforts were in vain and the Governor will be signing in this liberating bill within the week.