Delaware Online Casinos

Delaware Online Casinos and Real Money Slots

Regulation and legality of online gambling

Not only is online gambling fully legal , but Delaware officially became the first U.S. state to legally recognize gaming over the internet. Even though the official bill was passed in 2012, most people consider one special privilege the true beginning of Delaware’s relationship with online gambling.

Along with three other states, Delaware was exempt from the federal ban on sports betting, which allowed it to nurture a bustling gambling culture. The only bets that were available were tri-team NFL parlays. In 2012, everything changed when online casinos were officially legalized.

However, there was a catch involved. You see, the Delaware state House elaborated that only land-based casinos can offer online services. This is the case currently, with all three of their casinos have online platforms.

Another part of that infamous bill from 2012 was that the state had the right to pick a single operator to oversee the minuscule region’s iGaming industry. The current provider is none other than 888Holdings. DFS, sports betting, social games, online lotteries, horse racing - all of these forms of gaming are legal and regulated by the Delaware Lottery.

The US’ oldest state was the first to legalize both online poker and casino games. Delaware legalized online gambling in 2012; legislation was passed that allowed full-service betting websites which would offer slots and games like roulette, poker and blackjack. Real money users must be located within state borders and all the sites must partner with a land-based casino in the state.

Not only did Delaware allow online poker and casino, but it also signed a special agreement with Nevada in 2014. The intra-state liquidity sharing deal called Multi-State Internet Wager Agreement permits players from both states to play on each other’s licensed poker sites. Only weeks after Delaware officials struck a deal with Nevada, Congress supported a ban in online gambling. However, combining player pools helps the industry, and the gambling revenue contributes to the Delaware economy. At least, that is the general idea. Delaware did report a decline in revenue in 2017 (18% less than in 2016). An online gaming market has been established, but maintaining it seems to be the real challenge.

Gambling history in Delaware

Delaware may be a small state and an unassuming part of the USA, but the First State is at the forefront of gambling law in the Union. In 1787, Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution of the United States, earning the nickname The First State. Even before this important historical event, there was gambling in the Delaware territory.

The first racing facility was built in the Town of Newark in 1760, during the colonial era. In those early years, people enjoyed lottery betting, as well. Gambling activities were forced underground during the18th and 19th centuries due to Puritan society. It wasn’t until the 1930’s that the opponents of betting were subdued by the need for revenue.

In 1933, a commission was established to oversee and license horse race betting. The legalization of horse racing/wagering led to the development of racetracks in Delaware. As for casino gaming, it had a bit of a late start. Bingo games were allowed in 1957, under strict guidelines. In 2009, sports betting was legalized and allowed in casinos (only on multiple games like on parlay cards, not on single games). All the casino complexes in Delaware are linked to the racetracks, offering poker, slots and popular table games.

Land based casinos

Delaware residents can gamble if they are at least 18 years old on horse races and enjoy slots once they reach the age of 21. The entire state occupies less than 2,500 square miles and houses less than one million residents, so one can’t expect dozens of gaming venues upon such space. There are 3 casinos in total, joined with the racetrack facilities. So, technically, all three casinos in the First State are racinos.

All slot machines in Delaware are referred to as video lottery terminals; their activities are overseen by the Delaware Lottery. VLTs are required by law to offer a payout percentage between 87 and 95 percent. Other than slots, Delaware casinos offer blackjack, roulette, craps, and video poker. Visitors can also take pleasure in mini-baccarat, Pai Gow poker, Caribbean Stud, Big 6, bingo, keno, Mississippi Stud and Spanish 21, among other options.

Delaware Park, Harrington’s Raceway and Dover Downs are the three Delaware casino establishments, running 24/7, not including Easter and Christmas. Dover Downs is the largest casino; it is located in Dover and houses over 2,300 slot machines. Delaware Park is in Stanton, and features over 2,200 video gaming machines. Harrington Raceway in Harrington offers more than 1,700 slots.

Neighbouring States: Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania

Top Delaware Casino Slots and Games

References

[1] Delaware State Lottery

[2] Delaware Gaming Control Board

[3] Online gambling - are players at risk of prosecution?

[4] American Gaming Association - https://www.americangaming.org