Delaware Sports Betting Posts Handles of May and June

Article ByStan Fox

July 14, 2021

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Posted in: Delaware Gambling News, US Sports Betting News

Delaware sports betting also saw uneven months amid the spring slump, slowing down in June after witnessing accelerated growth in May. The Delaware Lottery released Thursday the sports betting figures for May and June.

According to June figures, Delaware sports betting handle was just short of $6 million – or $5,958,137 – representing a 15.6% decrease from May’s $7.1 million. The June shrink was due to the absence of a NASCAR race.

The May total of $7.1 million was down 29% increase from April’s $5.5 million.

Delaware Pushes National Handle to Over $3.7 Billion

Total sports betting revenue in June also declined to $644,366, down 4.9% from May’s $677,441. In April, Delaware sportsbooks had generated $894,231 in revenue.

There is no mobile sports betting in Delaware.

Delaware – the last state to report May sports betting figures – has pushed the national handle for the month to over $3.7 billion.

iGaming Flourishes in Delaware

Meanwhile, iGaming flourished in Delaware, with May witnessing $26.7 million, representing a 24.1% increase from April’s $21.5 million. Revenue from iGaming for the month also witnessed an increase of 4.1% to $910,282 from April’s $874,012.

Delaware is one of the few states where online casino gaming is legal. The others are New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Michigan – the latest state which legalized sports betting and iGaming in January.

Those five states also allow regulated online poker, in addition to Nevada.

NASCAR Race Swelled May Handle

Delaware fans got the opportunity – the first time since before the pandemic – to witness physically the live action of a NASCAR Cup Series race hosted by Dover International Speedway in mid-May. The Diamond State lifted capacity limits at the retail casinos May 21.

NASCAR events usually tend to increase activity at the Dover Downs sportsbook, which is nearby the track, and likely contributed to increased handle in May.

Delaware, First State to Offer Sports Betting

Delaware became the first state to allow single-game sports betting outside of Nevada in June 2018, a month after the Supreme Court struck down PASPA. The state has three retail properties – Delaware Park, Dover Hotel & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casinos. All three properties opened for sports betting June 5, 2018.

Currently, there is no mobile sports betting in Delaware, nor has the lottery given any timeline for the launch of online sports betting in the state. Delawareans who like to place digital bets need to drive to Pennsylvania or New Jersey to fulfill their desire.

Though mobile sports betting is legal in Delaware, it is considered too expensive to launch. However, the situation regarding mobile betting can change in the coming months.