Delaware Casinos, Online Gambling and Sweepstakes
Neighbouring States: Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania
Delaware at a Glance
✅ Allowed
- Real-money online casinos — legal since 2012; America's first state to legalise online casino gaming; BetRivers is the licensed operator
- Online sports betting — mobile app launched January 2024 (BetRivers); retail available since 2018
- Online poker — legal and available via BetRivers
- Land-based casinos — three racinos: Delaware Park, Bally's Dover (formerly Dover Downs), and Harrington Raceway & Casino
- State lottery — including online ticket purchases
- Pari-mutuel horse racing — live and online wagering
- Daily fantasy sports (DFS) — legally regulated since 2017; age 18+
- Social casinos — free-to-play, no cash prizes
- Minimum age: 21 for casino gaming and sports betting; 18 for horse racing and DFS
❌ Not Allowed
- Sweepstakes casinos — not legally permitted; the Division of Gaming Enforcement has issued cease-and-desist orders and treats them as unlicensed gambling
- Unlicensed online gambling — Delaware enforces aggressively; only BetRivers holds a state licence
- Multiple sportsbook operators — HB 365 to open the market failed in 2024; BetRivers remains the sole licensed mobile operator
Sweepstakes casinos and Delaware: Delaware has not passed a specific ban on sweepstakes casinos but treats them as unlicensed gambling under existing law. The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement issued a cease-and-desist to VGW (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots) in 2023, and issued a further public enforcement notice in April 2025. Delaware's position is that casino-style sweepstakes platforms operating outside the state lottery system violate the Delaware Constitution, the Penal Code, and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012. Most major sweepstakes platforms have exited the state as a result. A small number of platforms remain technically accessible — but given the enforcement environment, Delaware residents should treat them with significant caution. For real-money casino play, the licensed option is BetRivers.
Online Gambling in Delaware — A Pioneer State
Delaware holds a unique place in American gambling history: it was the first US state to legalise online casino gaming. The Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act, passed in 2012, authorised the state's three land-based casinos to offer online slots, table games, and poker, operating under the oversight of the Delaware State Lottery. Delaware beat New Jersey and Nevada to market, making it a genuine trailblazer even if its small population (around 1.05 million) means it has never become a major iGaming revenue state.
Licensed Online Casino and Sports Betting — BetRivers
The original 2012 online gaming contract was held by 888 Holdings (later rebranded as William Hill). When that contract expired in 2023, the state issued a new request for proposals, and Rush Street Interactive — parent company of BetRivers — was selected as the new exclusive operator. BetRivers launched with a soft open in December 2023 and went fully live on 3 January 2024.
BetRivers is the sole licensed online casino and sports betting platform in Delaware. All three of the state's land-based casinos partner with BetRivers for their online offerings. Players must be 21 or older and physically located within Delaware to play for real money. The BetRivers platform offers slots, blackjack, roulette, video poker, live dealer games, and a full sportsbook — all from one account.
Delaware's monopoly model — the trade-off
Delaware operates a single-operator model by design. The state lottery controls online gaming and awards one exclusive contract, which generates predictable, stable revenue but limits player choice and competitive promotions. BetRivers' effective tax rate in Delaware is around 51.4% of net gaming revenue — one of the highest in the country, comparable only to New York and New Hampshire. This reflects the state-controlled model prioritising revenue over market competition.
Online Poker — Legal but Narrow
Online poker has been legal in Delaware since 2012. In 2014, Delaware signed the Multi-State Internet Wager Agreement with Nevada, allowing player pool sharing between the two states — a pioneering arrangement designed to build liquidity in a very small market. BetRivers offers online poker as part of its Delaware platform. Delaware law prohibits sharing player pools with states outside existing agreements, which limits the growth potential of the poker market.
Online Sports Betting — Launched January 2024
While retail sports betting has been legal since 2018 (Delaware was the first state outside Nevada to legalise it post-PASPA), mobile sports betting only launched on 3 January 2024 via the BetRivers app. Legislation was introduced in 2024 (HB 365) to allow multiple online sportsbook operators, but it failed to advance in the face of opposition from the Delaware Lottery and BetRivers itself. Debate is expected to resume in the state legislature. Bettors must be 21 or older.
Sweepstakes Casinos — Proceed with Caution
Delaware does not have specific sweepstakes casino legislation but enforces existing gambling law against them. The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement's April 2025 public statement made the state's position explicit: casino-style sweepstakes platforms that allow players to purchase coins and win cash prizes are operating as unlicensed gambling businesses in violation of Delaware law, regardless of "no purchase necessary" marketing.
Most major sweepstakes platforms have withdrawn from Delaware following enforcement actions. Our spreadsheet shows a small number of platforms — WOW Vegas, Crown Coins, and Free Spin Casino — as technically available in Delaware, meaning they have not yet formally geoblocked the state. However, given the DGE's enforcement stance, we advise Delaware residents to use BetRivers for real-money play and to stick to social casinos for free entertainment.
Social Casinos — Safe Free-Play Option
Social casinos offering only free play with no prize redemption are the safest alternative for Delaware players who simply want entertainment:
- 7 Seas Casino — Free-to-play Vegas-style slots, no prizes, no purchase required.
- Vegas World — Free slots, poker, and table games in a social setting.
- Casino World — A broad range of free social casino games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are online casinos legal in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware was the first US state to legalise online casino gaming, passing the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act in 2012. The licensed operator is BetRivers (Rush Street Interactive), which launched in January 2024 following the expiry of 888 Holdings' contract. Players must be 21 or older and physically located in Delaware. BetRivers offers slots, table games, live dealer games, and sports betting from a single licensed account.
Are sweepstakes casinos available in Delaware?
Effectively no. Delaware treats casino-style sweepstakes platforms as unlicensed gambling under existing law. The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement issued cease-and-desist orders to major operators including VGW (Chumba Casino, LuckyLand Slots) in 2023 and again in April 2025. Most platforms have exited the market. Delaware residents have a genuine licensed alternative in BetRivers, which offers real-money casino games, poker, and sports betting legally.
Is online sports betting legal in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware was the first state outside Nevada to legalise sports betting after the Supreme Court's 2018 PASPA ruling. Mobile sports betting launched on 3 January 2024 via the BetRivers app — the only licensed mobile sportsbook in the state. Retail sportsbooks operate at Delaware Park, Bally's Dover, and Harrington Raceway. Bettors must be 21 or older.
How many casinos are there in Delaware?
Delaware has three land-based casino venues, all of which are racinos — combined racetrack and casino facilities. They are Delaware Park (Stanton), Bally's Dover Casino Resort (formerly Dover Downs, in Dover), and Harrington Raceway & Casino (Harrington). All three offer slots, table games, and sports betting, and all partner with BetRivers for their online platforms.
What is the minimum gambling age in Delaware?
The minimum age is 21 for casino gaming, slot machines, and sports betting — both at land-based venues and online. Horse racing wagering and daily fantasy sports are available to players aged 18 and over.
Is daily fantasy sports legal in Delaware?
Yes. DFS was explicitly regulated in Delaware in 2017 when Governor John Carney signed DFS regulations into law. DraftKings and FanDuel both operate in the state. Players must be at least 18.
Does Delaware have online lottery?
Yes. Delaware offers online lottery ticket purchases through the official Delaware Lottery. The state's lottery is one of the oldest in the US, and the online channel extends access to draw games and other lottery products.
What responsible gambling resources are available in Delaware?
The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement provides a responsible gambling programme including a toll-free helpline, self-exclusion programme, and counselling referrals. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is available at 1-800-522-4700 (1-800-GAMBLER), 24 hours a day. Delaware's self-exclusion programme covers all three land-based casinos and the BetRivers online platform.
Delaware Gambling Laws and Regulations
Delaware's gambling framework is grounded in its state constitution and the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012, which remains the cornerstone of its online gaming authorisation. The constitutional framework only permits gambling through strictly defined exceptions — and crucially, only through the state lottery system or its licensed partners. This is why sweepstakes platforms, which operate outside this system, face enforcement rather than a legislated ban.
The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, exercises regulatory and enforcement jurisdiction over licensed gaming facilities. The Delaware State Lottery oversees video lottery terminals, online gaming, and sports betting contracts. The two bodies work in close coordination, as illustrated by the April 2025 joint enforcement action against VGW LuckyLand.
Delaware's sports betting tax structure is among the most operator-unfriendly in the country, at an effective rate of around 51.4% — the flip side of the state-controlled monopoly model. Attempts to liberalise the market through HB 365 (2024), which would have allowed each of the three casinos to operate two online sportsbook partnerships (potentially bringing in FanDuel, DraftKings, and others), were blocked by opposition from the Lottery and the incumbent operator. This debate is expected to continue in 2026 sessions.
Gambling History in Delaware
Delaware holds the distinction of being the first state to ratify the US Constitution in 1787, earning its nickname "The First State" — and its pioneering instincts extend to gambling law as well.
Gambling has existed in Delaware territory since colonial times. The first racing facility was built in Newark in 1760. Lottery betting was popular in the early years before Puritan opposition drove gambling activities underground through the 18th and 19th centuries. Economic need brought it back: a horse racing commission was established in 1933 to oversee and license wagering, leading to the development of the racetracks that still form the backbone of Delaware's casino industry today.
Bingo was permitted from 1957 under strict guidelines. Sports betting took a significant step in 2009 — under a federal exemption that predated PASPA's repeal — when Delaware became the first state outside Nevada to offer regulated sports wagering, initially restricted to parlay cards on NFL games. In 2012, the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act transformed the landscape entirely by authorising full online casino gaming, online poker, and online table games — making Delaware the first US state to legalise online casino play, ahead of New Jersey and Nevada.
The 2018 Supreme Court ruling striking down PASPA opened the door to full single-game sports betting, which Delaware adopted that same year. Mobile sports betting followed in January 2024, completing a journey from parlay cards to a full digital gaming platform over fifteen years.
Land-Based Casinos in Delaware
Delaware has three casino venues, all operating as racinos — combining live horse racing, simulcast wagering, and full casino floors. All three run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and partner with BetRivers for online gaming.
- Bally's Dover Casino Resort (Dover) — The largest Delaware casino, formerly Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Rebranded following Bally's Corporation's acquisition. Offers over 2,300 video lottery terminals, table games, a poker room, sports betting, and hotel accommodation. Located near Dover Motor Speedway, it attracts visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic region.
- Delaware Park Casino & Racing (Stanton, near Wilmington) — Over 2,200 video lottery terminals, table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, and baccarat, plus live thoroughbred horse racing and a sports betting facility. The most accessible venue for the Wilmington metropolitan area.
- Harrington Raceway & Casino (Harrington) — Over 1,700 slots and a full table games floor, combined with a harness racing track. A popular destination for visitors from southern Delaware and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
All slot machines at Delaware casinos are technically classified as Video Lottery Terminals (VLTs) — a regulatory distinction reflecting state lottery oversight. They are required by law to offer payout percentages between 87% and 95%. Beyond slots, visitors can enjoy blackjack, roulette, craps, video poker, mini-baccarat, Pai Gow, Caribbean Stud, keno, Mississippi Stud, and Spanish 21.
Responsible Gambling in Delaware
- Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement — Responsible Gaming — Toll-free helpline, self-exclusion programme covering all licensed casinos and online platforms, and referrals to counselling services. Visit dge.delaware.gov for details.
- National Problem Gambling Helpline — 1-800-522-4700 (1-800-GAMBLER), available 24/7 by phone, text, and live chat.
- Gamblers Anonymous — Active chapters in Wilmington and Dover; schedules at gamblersanonymous.org.