Delaware Betting Laws

Delaware has a long history with sports betting. Its residents have had access to parlay cards through the state Lottery since 2009.

The state has legalized sports betting on single games in 2018, although there are no online or mobile options available yet.

With an estimated population of 986,809 (2020 data), Delaware will never boast the country’s biggest sports betting handle, but it certainly could be far better than it is right now.

Delaware is in a prime location, bordering the sports betting hot spots New Jersey and Pennsylvania, as well as Maryland. And while it doesn’t have major pro franchises in-state, that does mean there are plenty of betting opportunities close by for Delawareans.

Is sports betting legal in Delaware?

Sports betting is absolutely legal in Delaware – the state was the very first off the grid after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA in 2018.

The problem for locals is that things haven’t really moved on since then. You’re still only able to bet in a small number of land-based casinos which run sportsbooks.

As of early 2021, online and mobile betting has still not gone live despite being legal, a massive missed opportunity in our opinion. Sports betting is currently run by the Delaware State Lottery.

For the time being locals have to be satisfied with either those local casinos (powered by sportsbook giant William Hill), or a fast trip to nearby locations like Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

Do you need to be resident in Delaware to bet online?

You do not need to be a resident of the state of Delaware to bet legally on sports there. U.S. states tend to legislate for betting based on location when you bet, not residency.

What is the legal gambling age in Delaware?

If you want to bet legally on sports in Delaware, you need to be aged 21 or older.

What type of sports bets can I place in Delaware?

  • Moneyline: Yes
  • Point Spread: Yes
  • Parlay: Yes
  • Teasers: Yes
  • Futures: Yes
  • Over/Under: Yes
  • Round Robin: Yes

What sports can I bet on in Delaware?

You can bet on all major sports in Delaware, including:

NB: While you can bet on college sports in Delaware, you cannot bet on all games. Any matchups involving Delaware schools are off limits. This is a similar rule to many other states.

What is the legal sports betting age in Delaware?

You need to be at least 21 years old to bet legally on sports in the state of Delaware.

Where can I bet in Delaware?

Like we said, there’s a pretty small pool of options if you want to bet on sports in Delaware. You have three land-based options, and here they are:

  • Delaware Park
    777 Delaware Park Blvd
    Wilmington
    DE 19804
  • Dover Downs
    1131 North Dupont Hwy
    Dover
    DE 19901
  • Harrington Raceway & Casino
    18500 South Dupont Hwy
    Harrington
    DE 19952

How do I place a sports bet online in Delaware?

The options are limited, but it’s pretty simple:

  • Travel to one of the locations listed above
  • Be over 21 years old when you attempt to place your bet
  • You must also NOT be on any relevant exclusion list

Legal sports betting near New Delaware

Given the limited options for sports betting inside Delaware along with the state’s small size, it pays to look at out-of-state options to get a piece of the action.

Remember, it’s not about where you are resident. It’s about where you are when you bet.

Here are your best options:

Pennsylvania: Wilmington is just a 30-minute drive from Philadelphia, so PA is a legitimate option for sports bettors from Delaware. Online and mobile betting is available once you cross the state line – you just need to be 21 or older and not on a self-exclusion list to register an account.

New Jersey: The hottest sports betting spot in the U.S. right now. You’re only a short distance away, and again once you cross the state line betting is legally available. There are many mobile options as well as the bright lights of Atlantic City. The legal gambling age is 21.

NB: Voters in Maryland have approved the concept of legal sports betting. But the state is now in the process of working out how to roll it out. Currently there’s no live availability, but that should change soon.

Are offshore sportsbooks legal in Delaware?

No. Yet again we have to inform you that offshore sportsbooks – despite their claims – are not legal in the United States.

These sportsbooks are not licensed in any of the 50 states in the union, so you are in danger if you decide to sign up with them. The lack of consumer protection is scary.

Instead, we’d advise you strongly to stick with legal options and check our state-by-state guides to find out the best options for betting inside the union.