Esports betting is one of the biggest growth areas in online wagering, with this also ringing true in Delaware. However, there are not presently any legal Delaware esports betting sites, with sports betting having to be done via three retail outlets.
Delaware esports betting is likely to become more mainstream in the future when regulation is finalised surrounding online betting. Some of the esports games that are popular with bettors include Dota 2, League of Legends and Overwatch, although the professional video game scene is growing all the time.
Even when legal sports betting sites launch in Delaware it will take separate legislation surrounding esports, which we have seen in other US states, to be enacted to allow these types of bets.
Sports betting in Delaware – The path to regulation
Delaware is known to be a state with a small land area but ultimately has a big presence in the sports betting market.
Delaware has been at the forefront of sports betting way before most states came on board. Hence, it is associated as one of the most progressive states in regards to gambling in the United States. There are various forms of gambling present in the state of Delaware.
After the reversal of the PASPA (Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in 1992 by the Supreme Court of the United States, the First state was one of the first to completely legalize sports betting. Delaware is also one of the few states in the United States with legal online casinos. It offers its residents land-based sports betting (retail) via three local casinos only, being without online sports betting.
The age requirement for residents to partake in sports betting in Delaware is pegged at 21 years of age for casino, poker, sports betting, and 18 years of age for horse racing, lottery, and bingo.
However, the road to the legalization of eSports betting in Delaware has been a bumpy one, as eSports betting by residents of Delaware is still unclear and retail sportsbooks do not offer eSports odds.
Top Esports Betting Sites in Delaware
While sports betting in Delaware has been legalized, and residents can wager on poker, horse racing, lottery, and daily fantasy at the three licensed retail sportsbooks available, there are no licensed online gaming operators in Delaware.
With the absence of online sports betting in Delaware, residents would have to travel to neighboring states, New Jersey (NJ esports betting) or Pennsylvania (PA esports betting) to legally partake in online sports betting.
There are numerous well-known betting brands that operate in the USA and in the future they are likely to enter in the Delaware market. The best esports betting sites that operate in the USA include brand like DraftKings, FanDuel and William Hill.
Below is a list of the licensed retail sportsbooks present in the state of Delaware:
- Bally’s Dover Casino Resort
1131 N Dupont Hwy, Dover, Delaware, USA
This land-based sportsbook was provided by Scientific Games and became operational in June 2018. - Delaware Park Casino
777 Delaware Park Blvd, Delaware, USA
Runs a land-based sportsbook operated by FanDuel Group, which began operation on June 5, 2018. - Harrington Raceway and Casino
18500 S Dupont Hwy, Harrington, Delaware, USA
This sportsbook was also provided by Scientific Games
Best Mobile Esports Betting Apps
While online sports betting is legal in Delaware, mobile betting is still not authorized. The state was the first to legalize sports betting in the U.S., but this did not initially include mobile or online betting options. Although there is no active bill for mobile betting legislation at the moment, Delaware residents are hopeful that the state will follow the lead of neighboring states in the near future.
Mobile esports betting in Delaware is expected to eventually make its way into the market, and with the rise of esports betting apps worldwide, it’s likely that these platforms will offer users easy access to a wide variety of daily betting markets, promotions, and bonuses. As mobile betting continues to gain popularity across the globe, Delaware residents can look forward to the day when esports betting apps become a standard option in the state.
Payment options at Deleware betting sites
Betting sportsbooks in Delaware offer most fan favorites and frequently utilized payment methods for both deposits and withdrawals. Most payment methods include the use of Visa/MasterCard, American Express, eCheck, bank transfer, money orders, and cryptocurrency.
Some bettors have shown reservations in trusting betting sites to pay their winnings to them when they win as they are not retail. The advent of multiple payout methods has put an end to such doubts as the bettor is allowed to choose the payout method he prefers to receive his winnings through. Although, each payout method differs in transaction fees and processing time.
With the global acceptance of cryptocurrency, most sportsbooks have integrated cryptocurrency to their platform as a method of funding one’s account or withdrawing. Cryptocurrency has a faster processing time than the other methods. Some sportsbooks offer very rewarding promotions to encourage bettors to use the cryptocurrency option.
- Paypal
- Neteller
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- PayNearMe
- Prepaid Cards
- e-Check
- Cash
Delaware Sports Betting Laws
Delaware’s sports betting history dates back to the mid-1970s, but it wasn’t until 2018 that the state officially embraced legal single-game sports betting. However, Delaware has always had a unique position in sports betting legislation, beginning with the Delaware Lottery’s introduction of a football parlay game in 1976. This short-lived product helped Delaware secure an exemption from the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which otherwise prohibited sports betting across the United States.
The state attempted to expand its sports betting offerings over the years. In 2009, then-Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill to introduce single-game sports betting. However, sports leagues, including the NBA, NFL, NCAA, and MLB, filed a lawsuit against the state, citing violations of PASPA. While Delaware fought this decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals ruled against the state, allowing only parlay betting.
A major turning point occurred on May 14, 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled PASPA unconstitutional, allowing states to legalize sports betting. Delaware wasted no time and launched its retail sports betting market on June 5, 2018. The state’s three racinos—Dover Downs, Moneyline Sports Bar & Lounge, and Murphy’s Race and Sports Book—opened sportsbooks, offering legal sports betting to residents and visitors.
In December 2023, Delaware officially launched its first online sports betting platform, BetRivers, becoming the sole operator for online sports betting in the state. While the state’s sports betting market began with a monopoly, there has been growing movement toward a more competitive environment. House Bill 365, introduced in 2024, aims to allow Delaware’s casinos to partner with two online sportsbooks, signaling a shift toward a more competitive market.
The state’s regulatory landscape continues to evolve, with daily fantasy sports (DFS) also legalized in 2017 under the Delaware Interactive Fantasy Contest Act. However, sports betting in Delaware remains tightly controlled, and while online sports betting has made its debut, mobile esports betting has not yet arrived.
Delaware residents can look forward to the potential expansion of the state’s sports betting options in the coming years, as lawmakers continue to explore the benefits of a more competitive betting landscape.
