Monday 18th May 2009 Delaware in Line to Legalise Sportsbetting
Delaware could become the first east coast American state to permit sportsbetting after the House of Representatives passed a bill legalising the activity last week following months of intense negotiations.
The bill had initially failed a few days earlier but a compromise that included provisions for the addition of table games to land-based casinos as early as possible alongside an increase in the state's share of slot revenues saw the proposal make it through by a vote of 30 to 4.
It is now due to head to the state’s Senate where further deals are expected before Delaware Governor Jack Markell can sign it into law.
The sportsbetting bill would allow players to bet on single games at the state’s three casinos. However, restrictions allowing only parlay bets could be instituted depending on the Delaware Supreme Court, which has so far refused to weigh in on what system best conforms to the state’s constitution.
Faced with an expected budget deficit of $778 million for 2010, the Governor stated that the new compromise could see the state earn around $52 million next year, which would increase if table games were up and running by then.
“We've worked very hard on this,' said Governor Markell.
'More and more legislators have begun to appreciate the situation we're in. If we don't have this to generate revenue, we're going to need cut more services.
'I'm not going to say this will be huge but it could bring in meaningful revenue. It gives us the opportunity to attract what we call ‘crossover’ gaming. Some of the people who come to Delaware for the sports lottery are likely to play other games like video poker.'
Source: OnlineCasinoNews
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