Gambling Law Passed by Delaware Legislature

Online gambling history has been made in the United States!

The Delaware state Senate passed the bill HB333 with 16 votes in favor and 1 against it. Governor Jack Markell openly stated that he supports the bill. Once the bill is signed into law, Delaware becomes the first state in the US to legalize online gambling. Delaware was a late entrant to the online gambling race that’s why this accomplishment is so sweet.

In December 2011 the state only started to consider the legalization of gambling online. Since the US Justice Department stated that the Wire Act only applied to online sports betting and Internet gambling could be regulated by the various states within their borders without violating the UIGEA.

Delaware Online Gambling

The law permits the state of casino websites in Delaware to offer online slots, casino games like blackjack and roulette. The state Lottery office will manage and regulate these websites. Players will be able to purchase lottery tickets online. Before the NFL season kicks off, it plans to have 30 extra sports betting outlets and before 2012 is out another 100 Keno retailers. Online gambling will only go live in Delaware early in 2013. To ensure that players wager within state borders geo-location software will be implemented.

A portion of the revenues from online gambling will be utilized to reduce the costly $3.75 million licensing fees paid by land casinos. The state estimates that online gambling will yield an approximate revenue of $7.75 million in 2013. Senate President Anthony DeLuca said that Delaware must lead from the front with regard to gambling developments in the United States. DeLuca played a prominent role in pushing the online gambling bill.

The vote originally scheduled for 26 June but was delayed by a day. Most people felt that there were not enough Democratic Party votes to push the bill through. The gambling bill faces some stern opposition from the powerful harness racing industry which requested a larger stake in online gambling profits and an amendment.

Assuming there is an amendment, the bill would then be returned to the House for another vote. Truth be told, this could jeopardize the bill since it will not pass in the current session. The administration immediately held a meeting with the horsemen and an agreement was reached that if the online gambling bill becomes law they will receive a greater share of the profits.