Delaware State University Hornets fell to the University of Delaware Blue Hens in a men’s basketball game, with the Hens winning 78-67. Despite this on-court loss, Delaware’s sports betting world is experiencing its own setback. A bill to expand online sports betting in the state was not approved before the legislative session ended on June 30.
If passed, the bill would have allowed up to six online sports betting operators in Delaware. Currently, BetRivers remains the only online sports betting operator in the state through a partnership with the Delaware Lottery.
The bill, proposed by Rep. Franklin D. Cooke, aimed to open up Delaware to multiple online sports betting operators, giving each of the three casinos in the state the opportunity to partner with up to two operators. The legislation set a tax rate of 18% of the operator’s monthly adjusted gross sports betting receipts.
This bill was supported by a legislative report that suggested expanding online sports betting in Delaware to encourage competition and economic growth in the sports wagering market. The report recommended having an online sports lottery, multiple online sports operators, a tethered model with video lottery agents, protecting the horse racing industry, and providing resources for problem gambling.
The bill never moved forward, despite receiving support from the Internet Sports Lottery Legislative Working Group. If approved, the state could have generated significant revenue from sports betting taxes over the next few years. Despite the setback, Delaware’s sports betting landscape remains under the control of BetRivers for now.
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