Dover Downs

Dover Downs Hotel & Casino Online is an internet casino that’s exclusively available to Delaware residents. It’s owned by Twin River Worldwide Holdings and licensed by the Delaware Lottery.

This gaming site is powered by 888 Holdings’ software and features a mix of slots and table games.

Dover Downs welcome bonus

$10 no-deposit bonus

New players who successfully register for an account will immediately receive a $10 no-deposit bonus. This bonus must be wagered within 30 days of being awarded.

Only winnings from the no-deposit offer can be withdrawn. Players must earn 3.75 Status Points per $1 in winnings to cash out.

Deposit Bonus

Dover Downs customers who make their first deposit will be eligible for a 100% match bonus worth up to $100. Players are given 30 days to wager the bonus.

2.5 Status Points must be earned per $1 before the bonus can be withdrawn. A $50 bonus, for example, would require 125 Status Points (50 x 2.5) before it can be cashed out.

Other promotions

This online casino features a different promotion for each day of the week. The promos revolve around cashback, deposit bonuses, free spins, and vouchers (a.k.a. free play).

We won’t go into great detail on all of these daily deals, because they can change at any time. However, one example is Tuesday PLAYday, which offers a $10 free-play voucher.

VIP program at Dover Downs online

Players earn Status Points and Rewards Points while playing for real money at Dover Downs. The casino website doesn’t explain how these points work or for what purposes they can be used.

We assume that Dover Downs’ VIP program falls in line with Delaware Park, which is also powered by 888.

At Delaware Park online, Status Points determine one’s level in the VIP program. Rewards Points, meanwhile, are used to accumulate various rewards.

Again, we can only make assumptions when considering that Dover Downs explains neither the points nor the VIP program.

Who can play at Dover Downs?

Players must be at least 21 years old and within Delaware’s boundaries to play for real money at Dover Downs.

This online casino uses geo-location software to determine a player’s location. The FAQ section gives advice on handling situations where one is within state lines, yet the geo-location software isn’t picking up their device.

Anyone from any state can sign up at Dover Downs and download the software and/or casino app. They just have to be in Delaware to make a deposit and place real-money wagers.

Dover Downs browser-based casino software

888 supplies the software for Dover Downs online. It also provides software for Harrington Raceway and Delaware Park, meaning Delaware’s three online casinos have the same look.

The Dover Downs browser-based software is easy to navigate. The lobby only has a few sections, including “Card & Table Games,” “Slots,” and “New Games.”

Players must have Flash enabled in order to play the games. They’re prompted to allow Flash to run upon selection of a game to play.

Browser-based game selection

WMS and 888 are the only two game providers at this site. The browser-based version primarily features 888 games.

Dover Downs offers just over 60 slots and two table games. Although on par with other Delaware online casinos, Dover Downs’ selection pales in comparison to New Jersey gaming sites, which should prompt Dover Downs to expand their options.

Dover Downs smartphone application

Players must download an app to play at Dover Downs through a smartphone or tablet. The app is available to both Android and iOS users.

Android users can download the app directly off of DoverDowns.com. It’s available for 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi connections.

Apple iOS users must visit the App Store to get the mobile version. They should search for “Dover Downs Online Casino” to find the right app.

The Dover Downs mobile casino is mildly similar to the browser-based client. However, it doesn’t feature as much flair as the desktop version due to its black background.

Navigation on the app also feels unsteady. The screen tends to shift diagonally when one is scrolling through games.

Dover Downs mobile games

The mobile-game selection at Dover Downs is surprisingly small. It features less than 20 games, which is a third of what’s available in the browser-based version.

The limited game variety overshadows what’s otherwise a smooth-running app. In our experience, the games load quickly and run just as seamlessly as in the PC/Mac client.

Games at Dover Downs

This internet casino only offers around 60 slots and two table games. The latter selection will be disappointing for players who like casinos with an abundance of table games.

Slots

Dover Downs’ slots come from a mixture of 888 and WMS. Several of the games are connected to progressive jackpots, which can grow quite large relative to Delaware’s small player base.

Millionaire Genie offers a jackpot worth over $185,000 at the time of this review. Irish Riches, Pirate Millions, Santa’s Super Slots, Saved by the Bells, and Steampunk Nation are all connected to a jackpot worth over $134,000.

Some of the most-popular slots at this casino include:

• Bruce Lee
• Elvis: The King Lives
• Fire Queen
• KISS
• Millionaire Genie
• Raging Rhino
• Saved by the Bells
• Steampunk Nation
• Zeus
• Zeus III

Table games

Classic blackjack and roulette are the lone table games at this site. The blackjack game features six decks, 3-to-2 natural payouts, and the dealer standing on all 17s.

It also offers several customizable options, including the following:

• Betting limits: $1 to $500; $5 to $1,500; and $10 to $3,000.
• Table color: black, blue, green, or red.
• Turbo mode: on/off.
• Hands: 1, 3, or 5.
• Background music: on/off.
• Announcements: male/female.

The roulette game features an American wheel (38 numbers). Its customizable options include:

• Table color: black, blue, green, or red.
• Background music: on/off.
• Turbo mode: on/off.
• See pay table.

Deposit options at Dover Downs

This site allows customers to deposit with major credit cards, an e-wallet, and ACH (eChecks). The minimum amount for all Dover Downs deposit methods is $10.

Visa and MasterCard are the quickest ways to fund an account at Dover Downs online. The two major drawbacks, though, are that both incur cash advance fees and neither doubles as a withdrawal method.

Neteller is a trusted e-wallet that can be used for fairly quick deposits and cashouts. However, it features processing fees as high as 3%.

ACH allows one to transfer money to and from a bank account. The downside, however, is that eChecks require multiple days to clear when making either deposits or withdrawals.

Withdrawal options at Dover Downs

ACH and Neteller are the only ways to cash out from this casino. Players must upload requested ID documents upon requesting their first withdrawal with either method.

Neteller is the most-convenient way to cash out, because transactions are completed in less than three business days. ACH is slower than Neteller, requiring up to eight business days for completed transactions.

Customer support

Dover Downs online customer service can be reached through email and phone. Their support team is available 24/7.

Live chat is noticeably absent from the contact methods. The lack of live support is a major drawback when considering that many internet gamblers prefer this option.

The website features an extensive FAQ section that clears up many common questions players may have. The FAQs cover many topics, including banking, geo-location, getting started, login issues, promotions, and responsible gaming.

Casino history overview

Dover Downs was built in 1967 as a facility for both auto racing and horse racing. It began holding both types of racing in 1969.

This track quickly established itself as a premiere NASCAR racing venue. It hosted the NASCAR Grand National Series (a.k.a. Spring Cup Series) in 1969. Harness races began being held there the same year.

By the late 1970s, Dover Downs was facing more competition in the harness-racing sector from New Jersey’s Meadowlands. Atlantic City’s newly built casinos also began drawing gamblers away from the track.

In 1994, the Delaware General Assembly legalized slot machines at state tracks to help the struggling horse-racing industry.

By 2002, Dover Downs  had split from the auto-racing segment of the company (Dover Motorsports). This move formed two separate companies, with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino overseeing harness racing and slots.

The state Legislature legalized online casino games in June 2012. Dover Downs Hotel & Casino became the state’s first casino to launch a play-money gaming site in August 2013. Just a few months later, they began offering real-money online gambing.

In May 2019, Twin River Worldwide Holdings acquired Dover Downs. Ed Sutor stepped down as president and CEO of Dover Downs following the sale.

Aside from the sale and new owner, business remains as usual for Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. They still operate the online casino and a land-based gaming facility with over 2,300 slot machines.

Dover Downs Online Poker Review

Dover Downs online poker is exclusively available to Delaware residents and visitors. It’s owned by Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and is licensed by the Delaware State Lottery.

This site runs on the 888 software platform, and it is part of 888’s Multi-State Poker Network (MSPN), which links online players in Delaware, Nevada, and New Jersey.

The MSPN is the only reason Dover Downs and its in-state rivals, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway, sustain any notable poker traffic. After all, Delaware itself has less than 1 million residents.

Dover Downs has not transformed into an online poker giant thanks to the MSPN.  On the other hand, they are able to offer some notable multi-table tournaments (MTTs) as a result.

Getting started at Dover Downs

The first step to playing at Dover Downs is downloading the software, which is available for PCs and Macs. We downloaded and fired up the software package in approximately five minutes.

You do not have to register for an account to check out the lobby, which is valuable because it allows you to see what Dover Downs offers in terms of games and traffic before deciding to sign up.

No Dover Downs poker app

Like Harrington Raceway and Delaware Park, Dover Downs does not offer a poker app or browser-based mobile play. This is a huge downside given the large number of mobile players today.

Age requirement and geo-location

You must be at least 21 years old to play real-money poker in Delaware. You also need to be physically present in the state before joining real-money tables.

Dover Downs uses geo-location to determine if you’re within state boundaries. Geo-location pinpoints your location via Wi-Fi signals.

Dover Downs poker signup bonus

This poker site offers a 100% match bonus worth up to $500 on your first deposit. The minimum deposit to qualify is $10.

Dover Downs’ poker bonus is the same deal offered at the other two Delaware sites. Therefore, you won’t find a better offer than the one offered here.

Earning the signup bonus

You will need to collect Status Points (SPs) through real-money cash games and tournaments to release the bonus. You’ll unlock $1 per eight SPs.

The bonus is released in $5 increments for the first $10. It’s then awarded in $10 increments for the remaining amount.

You have 60 days after depositing to collect as much of the bonus as possible. Any unearned portions will expire at this point.

What are SPs?

SPs determine your level in the Dover Downs online loyalty program. They also play a role in unlocking bonuses.

You receive 2 SPs for every $1 contributed in cash-game or tournament rake. Each opened table displays a bonus meter that shows how many SPs are needed to unlock the next increment.

Any other promotions available at Dover Downs online poker?

Dover Downs features daily promos for their casino gamblers. However, they don’t have any poker offers beyond the signup bonus.

Loyalty program

The Dover Downs VIP program revolves around Rewards Points (RPs), which are awarded at a 1:1 ratio.

RPs can be exchanged for cash. Neither the exchange rate nor benefits for higher VIP tiers are explained on the website.

You move up in the loyalty plan by accumulating SPs each month. You retain your rank for the current month, plus the entire following month.

Here’s how many SPs are required for each level:

• Level 1 = Automatic
• Level 2 = 15 SPs
• Level 3 = 25 SPs
• Level 4 = 50 SPs
• Level 5 = 100 SPs
• Level 6 = 500 SPs
• Level 7 = 1,500 SPs
• Level 8 = 4,500 SPs

Online poker games & traffic at Dover Downs

Delaware does not generate much internet poker traffic by itself. Therefore, Dover Downs’ involvement in the MSPN has been crucial to sustaining reasonable traffic levels.

Most of the benefits are seen in their MTTs, and this may be partially due to the fact that Dover Downs offers both five and six-figure guaranteed prize pools on a weekly basis.

Their cash-game traffic is not outstanding, but they do draw a fair amount of players at low-stakes tables.

Cash games

Texas hold’em, Omaha, and stud are available at Dover Downs. Of these, hold’em is the only game that draws any notable traffic.

Most of this action revolves around no-limit hold’em tables in stakes from 1 or 2 cents to 25 or 50 cents. Limits ranging from $0.50/$1 to $2.50/$5 also draw players at peak hours.

Both Omaha Hi and Omaha Hi/Low experience limited action during peak times, and the stud tables rarely attract any players.

Tournament action

Dover Downs online may not be a cash-game mecca, but it does feature a nice selection of MTTs. The weekends are especially hot here, with the biggest prize pools ranging from $10,000 to $100,000.

The $100,000 Sunday Special is the flagship event at this site. It requires an initial $215 buy-in and allows for rebuys.

What else is available for play?

The rest of Dover Downs’ offerings revolve around sit and go’s (SNGs) and Blast.

SNG buy-ins range from a quarter to 200 bucks. Most players don’t buy in for anything over $25.

Blast offers super-turbo SNGs with four players. Prize pools are randomly determined by a lottery before each Blast tourney begins.

Prize pools can be worth up to 10,000x the buy-in amount. A $1 buy-in Blast SNG, for example, could pay out as much as $10,000.

The odds of seeing a 10,000x multiplier are really low. However, the opportunity to win big money has made Blast quite popular in the 888 network.

Dover Downs online poker deposit methods

Dover Downs accepts deposits through ACH (e-check) and credit cards. Below, you can see the pros and cons of each option:

• E-check – An e-check lets you send money directly from your bank account to Dover Downs poker. This option is easy to use and only requires a few simple details from your checking account.
• Visa & Mastercard – These credit cards are the fastest way to make a deposit. The downside, though, is that they sometimes reject perfectly legitimate online-poker deposits.

Cashout options

ACH is the only way to withdraw money from Dover Downs online poker.

Unfortunately, ACH e-checks can take up to a week to clear.

You’ll need to verify your identity by uploading personal documents via the cashier, but you will not have to pay any fees to Dover Downs to withdraw your money.

Customer support

Dover Downs offers customer service via phone and email. Their support department is available 24/7.

Like other poker sites in Delaware, Dover Downs does not offer live chat. This is unfortunate because this method of support is preferred by most players, due to its ease of use and quick response time.

Dover Downs does help make up for the absence of live chat with an extensive list of FAQs. Found on the website, these FAQs cover many topics, such as banking, geo-location, login, and responsible gaming.

Final Verdict

Dover Downs online poker is on par with Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway. They don’t do anything to stand above the competition, but they do offer a solid all-around poker site.

The MTTs are the best thing about Dover Downs. The tournament lineup features prize pools as high as $100k every week.

Blast Poker is another highlight. This lottery SNG format offers the chance to win huge payouts for a relatively small buy-in.

Other aspects of Dover Downs poker could use some work. For example, the lack of details regarding their loyalty program is concerning.

They would also do well to feature a mobile app. Of course, the lack of mobile play is a problem across the 888 DE network.

Overall, this online poker room is as good as any in the state. It’s especially appealing if you like MTTs, Blast, and/or low-stakes hold’em.