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When it comes to Delaware sports betting updates, people across the state are still waiting to find out if mobile options will be on the way soon or not. For a while now, there has been plenty of speculation that things could arrive in time for the start of the NFL season. However, things have been delayed and now it’s up in the air when this project will get done. With that said, Delaware politicians are pushing for online sports betting, which is a fantastic sign.
Not long ago, Republicans Franklin Cooke, Bill Bush and Michael Smith published a commentary piece on Bay to Bay News about how much legal online betting will benefit the state. As we’ve mentioned in pieces before, Delaware is missing out on millions of dollars each month in potential revenue without online options. Once things are finally passed, we should see the numbers for the state grow in an impressive fashion.
“The demand for mobile sports betting isn’t just speculation,” Cooke wrote as part of his statement on why mobile betting in Delaware will be a benefit for everyone. “Delawareans are traveling in droves to all our neighboring states, stopping in parking lots of restaurants or shopping centers, to place mobile sports bets from their phone, depriving Delaware of the ability to collect revenue from this activity.”
Cooke and his fellow Republicans made a fantastic point here, as people indeed are leaving the state to place mobile wagers. Right now, the only legal sports betting activity that can be recorded is on three authorized in-person betting sites. That’s not convenient at all and it’s preventing sports fans in the state from placing bets on a consistent basis. In order for that to change, mobile options simply must be put on the table.
Delaware Lottery puts plans for online sports betting on pause https://t.co/9K1I5oUxM0
— LegHall.com (@leghall) June 8, 2023
No online betting for the NFL season will be terrible for Delaware
It goes without saying, but no online betting for the NFL season will be terrible for Delaware. The hope is that a Hail Mary can land before Week 1, but again, that doesn’t seem likely. Once the football season gets here, it’s easily one of the top periods of time for people to get their wagers in. For people in Delaware, sure, they can put their in-person bets in, but the handle would be so much higher if online options were made available.
The Philadelphia Eagles are among the top teams for people in Delaware, as the state doesn’t have any pro teams. The Eagles made it to the Super Bowl last year and they have strong NFL betting odds to get back to the big game this season as well. Jalen Hurts knows there’s going to be a lot of pressure on him, but he’s ready to silence his haters. Delaware fans will put down plenty of money on him and the Eagles. However, money is being lost without the online options we’ve discussed.
“We can capture the revenue that is flowing out of our state and gain new revenue from tourists betting on apps already legal in their home state,” the three Republicans wrote in their piece. “Legalizing and regulating mobile sports betting can be a winning bet for Delaware. We are ready to join the majority of other states that have legalized it. But before the lottery moves forward, let’s make sure we get this right.”
When Delaware first legalized sports betting in the state, sports fans were thrilled with the news. Since then, nearly 40 other U.S. states have made things legal, with more on the way in 2024. What’s frustrating is that plenty of other states have brought in mobile options, but Delaware is sitting on its foot there. More urgency needs to be showcased, as this change will be groundbreaking for officials and lawmakers.
Think we posted too many memes 🤷♂️@Toyota | #KellyGreenIsBack pic.twitter.com/2PsgNhAJDh
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) July 29, 2023
When will online betting arrive in Delaware?
With all of that mentioned, when will online betting arrive in Delaware? We wish we had the answer to that question for you, but no exact date has been set. It looks like officials are still trying to work out some major details in order for this to go down. However, it’s also going to be a long process.
Not only do lawmakers need to get on the same page in terms of getting the right online sports betting bill approved, but then multiple different sportsbooks will look to get deals done as well. With this expected to be a money-making machine for the state, countless companies will look to get involved.
However, the longer Delaware waits to get the ball rolling, the higher the chance we don’t see things arrive until 2024. This would be brutal, as Super Bowl betting could be strong for the state, especially if the Eagles get back to the big game. Only time will tell how this plays out, but things appear to be unknown in this case Let’s hope the process can start to speed up here, as the good people of Delaware are tired of all this uncertainty: they are ready for some answers to arrive.
