Delaware Sports Betting Ignites Regional Competition

You could say Governor Jack Markell “cashed in” last week when his proposal to legalize sports betting in Delaware won by a landside vote of 17-2.  The Senate’s approval helped Delaware become one of only four states in the nation to have this luxury.  It now joins Nevada, Montana and Oregon as those exempt from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 that prohibits states from participating in the bookmaking industry.  With the state facing a budget deficit of nearly $800 million, Markell is banking that the introduction of sports betting will help Delaware get more than $50 million of it back in the first year alone.

In 1976, Delaware had a sports lottery based on parlay betting.  This was only for a single football season and the short stay proves how miserably it failed.  However, the state legislature has been trying to redeem it for years, looking to capitalize on the increasing popularity of gambling on both a national and local scale.  Markell hasn’t been in office long but gave hints during his campaign indicating that he was interested in resurrecting sports betting in Delaware.  In no time, he made it the sole focus of his plan to trim the state’s deficit.

Despite all the ambition, Markell’s plan was initially rejected when going before the Delaware house two weeks ago.  The majority of state legislators didn’t agree with the governor’s demanding of more in licensing fees from struggling local horse race tracks.  Just two days later, Markell was able to arrange a nine hour long negotiation with leaders of the state legislature, finally reaching a compromise.  Because of the situation in Delaware, gambling stakes have been raised throughout the region as legislation is now leaning towards permitting table games at state casinos. While Governor Markell and Delware gamblers are thrilled about the opportunity to profit for the local economy and themselves, not everyone is onboard with the decision.

The Fallout

The NFL and NCAA aren’t too thrilled about the gambling state as both actively lobbied against the bill and still share a loath for the bookmakers in Vegas.  The major sports leagues aren’t the only protesters because neighboring Maryland seems to have a bone to pick as well.  With two of Maryland’s planned parlors just minutes from the Delaware state line, President Thomas V. Mike Miller fears that the larger, more extravagant casinos in Delaware could thieve profits from the state’s nascent slots program.  Maryland has four planned casinos in the works and knows that Delaware will serve as stiff competition.  Miller is already putting moves in place to soften the blow and delay the state’s ability to follow Delaware’s offerings.

Governor Markell‘s move to broaden the gambling spectrum is one that puts its neighbor further behind the proverbial 8-ball.  While several Marylanders are showing a weakened poker face in frustration, some are stepping up to the challenge.  Aaron Meisner of Stop Slots Maryland has been anticipating the Delaware expansion.  He plans to call the hand and raise Delaware one for its money.

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