After Delaware legislators hinted at opening up the state’s on-line sports activities betting market in current months, that now seems to be on the again burner, not less than for this yr.
The state legislature wrapped up this yr’s session final week with out taking on the problem. Since legalizing on-line gaming in 2013, the state has gone with a single-operator strategy, which expanded to sports activities betting as nicely in December.
Some legislators believed that ought to change to a extra aggressive market, which has confirmed profitable in different states.
“From our review and our perspective, we think that having more is better for lotteries, because it creates more competition, it ensures that everyone has a good platform and it allows more options for the public to choose what they want to do,” state Rep. William Bush (D) informed Delaware Public Media of the invoice.
Plans Dropped For 2024
Rush Street Interactive’s BetRivers platform is now the state’s official sports activities betting and on-line gaming operator by means of a contract with the state lottery. Bush launched a invoice in April so as to add rivals.
The invoice would see new sports activities betting operators pay a $500,000 licensing payment, which might final 5 years, and set a tax charge of 18% with a further 1.5% of income used to fund the state’s horse racing trade. The state’s casinos could be allowed to accomplice with operators and the invoice was backed by MGM, DraftKings, and FanDuel.
The effort initially acquired some pushback from lottery officers arguing that opening up the market might end result within the BetRivers contract being canceled. Lottery director Helene Keeley stated she believed a single-operator construction was one of the best strategy for a state with a low inhabitants like Delaware.
Other states have additionally taken this strategy, together with Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, and Rhode Island. Florida additionally has a monopoly operator after the state reached a gaming compact with the Seminoles permitting the tribe to solely supply statewide sports activities betting.
Rush Street took over the state on-line gaming contract in Delaware this yr after 888 Holdings was the state’s sole operator for a decade. That firm has since left the US market utterly.
