Delaware legislators have decided to postpone plans to open up the state’s online sports betting market for the time being. Despite some lawmakers advocating for a more competitive market, the state has maintained a single-operator approach since legalizing online gaming in 2013. Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers platform currently holds the state’s official sports betting and online gaming contract through the state lottery.
State Rep. William Bush introduced a bill to add competitors, which received support from MGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel. The bill would have required new operators to pay a licensing fee, set a tax rate, and allocate revenue to support the state’s horse racing industry. However, the bill did not make it through the legislature this year, with concerns raised by lottery officials about potentially canceling the BetRivers contract.
While some states have opted for a single-operator structure for online sports betting, others have embraced a more competitive market approach. Delaware’s decision to maintain the current structure may be influenced by its low population size. Rush Street took over the state’s online gaming contract this year after 888 Holdings exited the US market.
As plans to open up Delaware’s online sports betting market have been put on hold, it remains to be seen whether the issue will be revisited in the future. For now, the state will continue with its single-operator approach, with Rush Street Interactive retaining its position as the official sports betting and online gaming operator.
Source
Photo credit www.cardplayer.com
