Delaware Betting Sites
Got questions about sports betting sites in Delaware? We’ve got the answers. In our handy guide to Delaware betting sites, we’ll break down all you need to know about betting on sports in the Blue Hen State. Simply read on to get started!
Our Top Delaware Sports Betting Sites - December 2024
- Payout Speed
- Streaming
- Payment Methods
- No. Of Sports
- 24/7 Support
- Accepting US players
Is Online Betting Legal in Delaware?
Sports betting — both online and in-person — is legal in Delaware. In fact, it was the first state to permit the activity following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA).
As early as 2009, there were rumblings within the state government to legalize sports betting, although this was ultimately shot down by the federal courts. Nonetheless, the way was paved for a quick launch once PASPA was overturned in 2018, with legal sports betting going live in Delaware on June 5.
The Delaware Lottery regulates gambling activities in the state, and the legal gambling age is 21.
Although online gambling is indeed permitted for Delawareans, there are currently no sportsbooks available. Unfortunately, that means residents are limited to in-person betting at one of three locations:
- Delaware Park Casino & Racing
- Bally’s Dover Casino Resort
- Harrington Raceway & Casino
In January 2023, the Delaware Lottery issued a request for proposals in order to find a partner to provide iGaming in the state. Contender 888 withdrew from the process in August, leaving just Rush Street Interactive in the race. It’s now looking likely that RSI — operator of sportsbook brands BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse — could be successful, although there’s still an opportunity for competitors like BetMGM and Caesars to bid for the contract.
Rest assured we’ll keep you up to date on the latest on sports betting in Delaware, so watch this space!
Popular Sports to Bet on in Delaware
Delaware may lack representation in the major leagues, but that hasn’t stopped residents of the Diamond State placing their bets on their favorite teams. Wilmington, the state’s most populous city, is located just 30 miles from Philadelphia, so many Delawareans choose to back teams like the Eagles and 76ers.
Although online betting is not yet available in Delaware, you’ll be able to bet on the following sports — and much more — if it does launch. In the meantime, bets can be placed in person at one of the state’s three racinos.
NFL
Football season makes up four months of the year, and Delawarean support typically goes to the Philadelphia Eagles or the Baltimore Ravens, depending which part of the state you’re in. Both teams have seen some success in the league, with the Eagles finishing runners up in Super Bowl LVII in a three-point defeat against Chiefs. Meanwhile, the Ravens last won the Super Bowl in 2012 — their second win after first lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy in 2000. Go to the latest NFL odds here.
NBA
Despite lacking a major league team of their own, residents of Delaware are fervent NBA fans. Those in the Slower Lower typically back the nearby Washington Wizards, with residents in the north of the state usually opting for the 76ers. But if you’re looking to get behind a state team, the Sixers-affiliated Blue Coats represent Delaware in the NBA G League and were recently crowned champions for the first time in 2023. We provide NBA odds for all regular season games.
MLB
Once more with no MLB team of their own, residents of the First State usually back their closest teams — the Phillies and the Baltimore Orioles. Both have seen high points in the past, including World Series wins, as well as their fair share of lows. As for Minor League Baseball, Delawareans can back the Wilmington Blue Rocks. See the latest MLB season odds here.
NHL
It may not be the most prominent sport in Delaware, but hockey retains a loyal fanbase that predominantly backs the Flyers. For those in the south, the Washington Capitals are a popular choice. The Caps are arguably a better bet currently, having last lifted the Stanley Cup in the 2017–18 season — Flyers, on the other hand, haven’t done so in almost 50 years! Nonetheless, both teams are regular contenders in the play-offs.
Horse Racing
It might not be first to come to mind for horse racing, but Delaware sees its fair share of action. Delaware Park racecourse hosts major races like the Grade 1 Delaware Park Handicap and the Grade 2 Robert G Dick Memorial Stakes. Meanwhile, regular harness racing takes place at Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. These are also the three locations where Delawareans can place in-person sports bets.
Should online sports betting launch in Delaware, bettors will also get access to a plethora of world-class racing — from domestic events like the Kentucky Stakes to the fabled Grand National across the pond.
Betting Markets Available in Delaware
Although Delaware is yet to launch online sports betting, it is legal — which means residents can likely look forward to the convenience and excitement of on-the-go betting in the near future. What kind of wagers are likely to be available at Delaware sportsbooks? Here’s a quick rundown of some popular formats.
Moneyline
Moneyline bets are a straightforward wager on which team or player will win a game or event. Their simplicity means they’re a great place to start if you’re new to sports betting.
Moneyline odds are represented with positive and negative numbers. Here’s a quick example:
- Philadelphia 76ers, -150
- Boston Celtics, +130
The team with negative odds is the favorite, while the positive odds identify the underdog. In this example, a $150 bet on the Sixers would yield a $100 profit if they win. Conversely, a successful $100 bet on the Celtics would result in a $130 profit.
Parlay
If you’re looking to ramp up the potential risk vs reward, parlay bets might appeal. Here, you’re stringing together multiple wagers into one, and each must win for the bet to succeed. The odds are multiplied, yielding larger potential payouts but with a much slimmer chance of winning. Most betting sites allow parlays combining two to fifteen legs.
Say you’re a Phillies fanatic — you could make a parlay bet requiring the Sixers, Eagles, and Flyers all to win upcoming matches. If they succeed, you’ll win more than you would have if you bet on each outcome individually. Same-game parlays are also popular, for example a bet on the Phillies to beat the Padres and over eight runs to be scored in the game.
Over/Under
Also known as totals, over/under bets involve predicting whether a particular game statistic will exceed a certain threshold. Typically, you’re betting on the total number of points scored in the match by both teams, but you’ll often find sports-specific markets such as total rushing or passing yards in NFL, or total strikeouts in MLB.
Here’s a quick example. Say the Ravens are playing the Steelers and the over/under line is set at 45 points. If you bet on ‘over’ and the final score is 28–24 (a total of 52 points), you win the bet. If the score is 20–17 (a total of 37 points), you lose the bet.
Against the Spread (ATS)
Betting against the spread can even things up between two competitors. Here, the sportsbook sets a number of points — that’s the spread. If you bet on the favorite, they need to win by the spread requiring the favorite to win by a specific margin. If you back the underdog, they must either win outright or keep the game close and lose within the margin.
Say the Philadelphia Eagles are favored by 7 points (-7) against the New York Giants (+7) in an NFL game. If you bet on the Eagles, they must win by more than 7 points for your bet to be successful. But if you back the Giants, they can lose the game by up to 6 points, or win outright, for your bet to succeed.
Betting Apps Available in Delaware
In states with legal online sports betting, many customers opt to use mobile betting apps. If you prefer to use a handheld device for your wagering, these dedicated apps are the best tool for the job and have a number of benefits.
For starters, they’ve been designed specifically with smaller touchscreen devices in mind. You’ll often find the interface snappier and faster to load, with handy features to make finding your desired market a breeze. Push notifications can also be enabled, alerting you to your bet’s status, the latest odds, or even new promotions. Furthermore, with biometric login like touch or face recognition, keeping your account secure has never been easier.
Once the Delaware Lottery finalizes an iGaming partner, residents of the Blue Hen State can expect to find a sportsbook app hitting the shelves of Google Play and the App Store.
Payment Methods Available at Delaware Betting Sites
Deposits and withdrawals are an integral part of the online betting experience. Residents of states with online betting sites can use numerous methods to handle their betting payments, and we expect any operators that launch in Delaware to follow suit — here’s a quick preview.
Bank Cards
Debit and credit cards remain a popular choice for online bettors across the country. They’re widely supported and the process is familiar to most. The main drawback is withdrawal speed, which is usually a little slower than more modern methods like e-wallets.
e-Wallets
Digital wallet services such as Venmo and PayPal are a solid option for managing your betting budget. You can hold a balance within your account and link different bank accounts and cards, instead using just an email address and password to make payments. When it comes to speed, security, and convenience, e-wallets lead the way.
Prepaid Cards
If you want to keep a close eye on your spend or would prefer not to share bank details online, prepaid cards are an excellent choice. The main drawback? Withdrawals aren’t always supported. Play+ and Game On are two such services that are widely accepted at online betting sites.
Wire Transfer
Wire transfer is available at numerous betting sites and often has much higher transaction limits than other payment methods. Keep in mind there may be additional fees attached.
Delaware Betting Timeline
Delaware was the first state to legalize sports betting after PASPA was overturned — here’s how it happened.
2023: The Delaware Lottery starts its search for an iGaming vendor to provide online sports betting, casino games, and poker.
2019: Delaware reaches $132.5 million in total sports betting handle.
2018: After PASPA is overturned, state officials determine Delaware is ready to legalize betting, with residents able to place their bets from June 5.
2009: Governor Jack Markell moves to expand the state lottery into sports betting, an expansion that’s ultimately kiboshed by the federal courts.
Compare Delaware Betting Sites and Sign Up
Now you’re clued up on all things Delaware betting, all that’s left to do is wait patiently for the state’s first online sportsbook to launch — we’re hoping it’s on the horizon and will be first to bring you any developments. In the meantime, check out what the rest of our site has to offer, from the latest odds to expert picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is online betting legal in Delaware?
Yes, online betting is legal in Delaware, but there are currently no online sportsbooks available. This is hopefully set to change by the end of 2023. For now, residents can place bets in person at one of the state’s three racinos.
Do I have to pay taxes on gambling winnings in Delaware?
Yes. Gambling winnings in Delaware are subject to state income tax, which scales from 2.2% to 6.6%. Bettors must also pay federal tax of around 24% on gambling winnings, although your winnings can be offset by your losses.
Are online casinos available in Delaware?
Yes, but only through the state’s three casinos — Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover, and Harrington. Residents of Delaware can play online slots, table games, and poker via these platforms.
Where can I find support for gambling-related problems in Delaware?
The Delaware Council on Gambling Problems is a good place to start. Users can get in touch via live chat, the confidential phone line on 888–850–8888, or via text on 302–438–8888.
Another option is the National Problem Gambling Helpline, accessible in the following ways:
- Call: 1-800-GAMBLER
- Text: 800GAM
- Chat: www.1800gamblerchat.org