Posted on: December 31, 2023, 12:42h.
Last updated on: December 31, 2023, 12:42h.
The launch of Rush Street Gaming’s BetRivers Sportsbook in Delaware has opened a new chapter in online sports betting. This marks the start of legal online sports gambling in the state, with BetRivers replacing 888 Holdings as the iGaming partner for the Delaware Lottery.
Delaware now becomes the 28th state to legalize online sports betting, trailing only behind Nevada in offering full-scale, single-game sports betting. Online sports betting in Delaware was launched by BetRivers on December 27, 2023.
Delaware was delayed in implementing online sports betting, despite being one of the first states to offer full-scale sports betting following the repeal of PASPA in 2018. This slowness was due to the termination of the state’s iGaming partnership with 888 Holdings.
Delaware Slow to Join Online Sports Betting
Before PASPA was overturned, Delaware had some sort of immunity from the federal sports gambling law. After the repeal, the state moved quickly to offer full-scale sports betting, but the implementation of online operations was delayed until the recent launch by BetRivers.
Delaware’s three casinos are individually owned but function as an extension of the state-run lottery. The Delaware Lottery also governs all sports betting operations in the state, inclusive of retail and now online operations. BetRivers, through its agreement with the Delaware Lottery, is now enabled to facilitate online sports betting as part of its renewed iGaming partnership.
The launch of BetRivers also marks a push for online sports betting and iGaming operations across Delaware, with various casinos now hosting iGaming sites powered by BetRivers.
iGaming Sites Redirection
Along with a focus on sports betting, the BetRivers launch also includes the redirection of the state’s casino iGaming websites to the new platform. BetRivers will operate the online casino sites on the state’s behalf for an initial term of five years, supporting the Delaware General Fund.
Delaware is one of only six states with legal iGaming, joining New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia.