Important DE Notes

• Delaware Park Poker Tournaments
• Delaware Park Poker Room
• Delaware Park Poker Download
• Delaware Park Online Gambling
• Delaware Park Casino Poker

Nov 13, 2019 After the state of Delaware approved legal online gambling, the Dover Downs Online Casino launched in 2013, offering you the chance to play some of the hottest casino and poker games in the industry. It is one of the three casinos in the First State, together with Harrington and Delaware Park. If you have previously applied for a job with Casino at Delaware Park, you can login with your previous registration information. Use your email address and the password you selected to login to the system. If you do not have an account, then you need to complete the registration information.

• DE has state-regulated online poker and casino gambling
• iGaming launched in early November 2013
• 888 Holdings runs the only iGaming site in Delaware
• Nevada & Delaware created an iPoker compact in Feb. 2014
• DE is 1 of 3 states that can offer sports betting lotteries

Delaware was the second state in the United States to legalize intrastate online poker. Simultaneously, the state legalized the complete range of online casino games for intrastate gambling. Only players residing in Delaware can gamble online at sites licensed by the state. As a result, this intrastate online gambling automatically becomes legal under the federal UIGEA.

Future Outlook of Online Poker in Delaware

In order to understand the future outlook of online poker in Delaware, it is essential to first look at the current scenario. Delaware offers poker and casino-style games, including blackjack, roulette, video poker and slots, in its online gambling portfolio. The online poker variants include No Limit Texas Hold’em, Fixed Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha and Pot Limit Omaha High/Low. The online casino and poker offerings are powered by a single software provider, which is a joint venture between 888 and Scientific Games. The three Delaware racinos, Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway, have been issued licenses to operate branded online gambling portals powered by the single gaming platform. Online gambling has been put under the Delaware State Lottery.

Legalized intrastate online gambling went into operations in Delaware in November 2013. In the following months the revenue generated from online gambling has been far below the projected estimates. Since the legislation requires a threshold amount to be paid to the state, the operators have not earned a cent. The reason given has been that the population of Delaware is too small to make intrastate gambling viable. The state has already taken some steps[A]. A geolocation problem showed Delaware residents living near the Pennsylvania and Maryland border prevented them from accessing the online gambling sites, but this has been fixed. Macintosh operating system users can now gamble online and some new online casino games have been added.

Since 2015, Delaware residents can access the remote gambling sites on their mobile phones. The biggest step is the signing of the compact with Nevada[B]. In February 2014, the governors of Delaware and Nevada signed an agreement to allow players from both states to play poker at online sites that have been licensed by either state, thus increasing the liquidity. Delaware’s shared player pool with Nevada officially went live on March 24th, 2015. This has boosted the liquidity and revenues on Delaware’s single online poker site, powered by 888, but not as much as the state was hoping.

Total Online Gambling Revenue in Delaware (Poker and Casino Games):

2018 Total Revenue:
January – $177,061.29
February – $217,125.85
March – $167,654.94
April – $188,845.04
May – $174,102.35

2017 Total Revenue:
January – $194,669.98
February – $250,575.14
March – $151,811.46
April – $202,531.82
May – $315,698.73
June – $202,056.10
July – $191,026.46
August – $147,067.39
September – $170,763.31
October – $209,745.51
November – $159,757.03
December – $209,815.99

2016 Total Revenue:
January – $190,829.29
February – $229,789.82
March – $260,539.30
April – $267,801.30
May – $282,112.30
June – $304,874.30
July – $281,137.09
August – $244,387.43
September – $229,185.03
October – $179,996.59
November – $206,246.55
December – $229,987.10

2015 Total Revenue:
January – $132,074.84
February – $143,101.39
March – $146,188.07
April – $132,154.24
May – $133,697.20
June – $108,692.41
July – $142,083.40
August – $158,979.70
September – $156,125.74
October – $182,969.50
November – $182,664.45
December – $180,109.82

2014 Total Revenue:
January – $145,667.62
February – $167,333.52
March – $207,038.41
April – $240,762.63
May – $175,410.49
June – $187,332.18
July – $172,496.41
August – $172,853.14
September – $145,022.22
October – $130,268.65
November – $177,532.94
December – $169,600.36

Current Gambling Laws in Delaware

Gambling is covered in the Delaware Code in Title 11 Crimes and Criminal Procedure Chapter 5 Specific Offenses Subchapter VII Offenses Against Public Health, Order and Decency. The clauses relating to gambling begin from Section 1401 onwards[C]. Section 1432 (d) defines gambling offense as “offense defined in Sections 1401-1431 of this title”.

Gamblinglawmasters.com[D] clarifies based on court judgments that Delaware considers something to be gambling if it contains the three factors of prize, consideration and chance. Therefore, it seems that gambling in Delaware is defined as one giving up something of pecuniary value in hopes of winning a prize at a game of chance. Permitted gambling activities are specifically exempt from the general definition. Most gambling related offenses are class A misdemeanors.

History of Gambling in Delaware

The state of Delaware does not have any laws that specifically prohibit home poker games or private or social gambling of any kind. However, the state has not included home poker games in the exception to the general prohibition on gambling found in Section 17 of Article II of the Delaware Constitution[E]. Therefore, it can be concluded that home poker games would not be legal in Delaware. However, it has been reported[F] that there exist precedents from the State vs. Titlemen and State vs. Panaro cases that acknowledge that social games of poker are not breaking the law, provided the house takes no consideration.

Charity poker tournaments are allowed under Delaware laws subject to certain conditions being met. More details have been provided under the section on Charitable Gambling.

All the three racinos offer live poker cash games and tournaments.

Gambling Laws in Delaware

The opportunities for gambling in Delaware include the three racinos that offer online gambling, casino gambling and horse racing. The Delaware Lottery offers limited sports betting along with standard lottery products. Charitable gambling is also allowed.

Brick and mortar casino gambling in Delaware takes place at the three casinos attached to the racetracks at Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs.

Delaware Park offers live poker 24 hours a day and seven days a week, except during Easter and Christmas. Tournaments are organized in summer and winter. The casino also offers live table games that include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, Three and Four Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker and Mississippi Stud. The highlight is a slots arcade spread on two levels and containing 2,500 slots machines.

Harrington Raceway offers over 1,800 slots from market leaders like IGT, Bally and Aristocrat, friendly poker games and table games that include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em, Three and Four Card Poker and Mississippi Stud.

The Dover Downs poker room has 18 tables and hosts plenty of poker tournaments along with cash games. The 40 casino tables offer the same wide range of games as the other two Delaware casinos. Almost 2500 slots machines are available with some of them allowing wagers of $100 a spin.

There are no tribal casinos in Delaware.

Horse racing is covered under Title 28 Sports and Amusements. Horse Racing is covered under Chapter 3; Horse Racing in Kent County is covered under Chapter 4 and Harness Racing is covered under Chapter 5. Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission[G] and Delaware Harness Racing Commission[H] regulate these two different forms of horse racing. Both operate under the Department of Agriculture.

Currently, there are three racing venues in Delaware. Delaware Park hosts live thoroughbred racing. Harrington Raceway features harness racing. Dover Downs features live harness racing and NASCAR auto racing. All three have casino facilities attached and are referred to as racinos.

The Delaware Lottery[I] was established in 1974. Lottery products were introduced from 1976 beginning with the instant game “Diamond Instant Dollars”. Along with a range of its own products, the Delaware Lottery subscribes to the national Powerball and Mega Millions.

Delaware Lottery is different from other state lotteries in significant ways. It is one of the only four states where some kind of wagering on sports is legal under the federal Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992. In August 2009, a federal court limited sports gambling in Delaware to NFL parlays, based on what Delaware had offered prior to 1992, when the state tried to expand its sports betting activities. The details of the Delaware Sports Lottery can be found on the Delaware Lottery web site.

After 1995, the state lottery sanctioned video lottery terminals at the three racinos and from January 2010 table games regulated by the state lottery were permitted. The Delaware Lottery also regulates the online gambling activities. The minimum age to play the Delaware Lottery is 18, except for video lottery, sports betting and online gambling, which have a minimum age of 21. Delaware Lottery is covered under Title 29 State Government Chapter 48 Lotteries in the Delaware Code.

Delaware allows recognized charitable organizations to conduct bingo, raffles and No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker tournaments. Casino games like craps, roulette, slot machines and baccarat are excluded. Click here[J] for the detailed rules and regulations under which charitable gambling is conducted. They are covered in the Delaware Code under various chapters under Title 28 Sports and Amusements. The Delaware Gaming Control Board is the oversight agency.

Chapter 18 of Title 28 covers No-Limit Texas Hold’em poker tournaments. Poker has been allowed for charity gaming since 2004. Rule 5.0 of Regulations Governing Texas Hold’em Poker states “No prize greater in amount or value than $5,000 shall be offered or given in any single tournament and the aggregate amount or value of all prizes offered or given in any single tournament shall not exceed $13,000.”

Author:Joseph Falchetti (twitter)
(C) Copyright PokerWebsites.com, 2018

References and Citations

Delaware Park Poker Tournaments

Legal online poker in Delaware

Delaware is one of three states where online poker is entirely legal and regulated. Nevada and New Jersey are the other two.

Delaware legalized online gambling on June 28, 2013. Online casino games launched on Oct. 31, 2013. Online poker went live on Nov. 8, 2013.

The Delaware Lottery manages online gambling in the state. The state lottery also oversees all casino gambling in Delaware.

Latest Delaware online poker news

• by Steve RuddockJanuary 10, 2018

Delaware online poker and casinos

There are three casinos in Delaware:

1. Delaware Park
2. Dover Downs
3. Harrington Raceway

These three casinos are also the only online gambling providers in the state. Each offers online poker and casino games on its websites. All three sites share the poker network.

Delaware and Nevada share poker player pools

Gov. Brian Sandoval, of Nevada, and Gov. Jack Markell, of Delaware, signed an agreement to share online poker players on Feb. 25, 2014.

This internet liquidity sharing agreement was the first of its kind in the US online poker market and is unusual for ring-fenced markets. The goal was to show that the technology works and interstate online poker is safe.

There were delays in launching interstate online poker. Technical difficulties slowed the development process. In March 24, 2015, the interstate player pool launched. On that date, Delaware players were seated with Nevada players for the first time on a legal poker network.

Nevada players access the Delaware network through WSOP.com. Delaware players connect through one of the racino sites. 888 powers the platform.

Before the interstate network launched, the Delaware poker network averaged just seven players and peaked between 20 and 30 daily, according to PokerScout. The addition of Nevada players raised the player pool to about 300 peak and 150 average players.

This gave Delaware players a pool of action available 24 hours a day. Before the networking of states, there was rarely action outside of the late afternoon and evening hours of the day.

Deleware poker games available

Delaware poker players can access No-limit Texas Hold ’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and Pot Limit Omaha High/Low cash games and sit and goes through the Nevada interstate pool.

The state site also spreads Fixed Limit Hold ’em, Seven Card Stud and Seven Card Stud High/Low. There is virtually no action at these games that do not have access to the Nevada network.

All multi-table tournaments are shared between the two states. There are at least two dozen guaranteed tournaments daily. Most are No-limit Texas Hold ’em.

The largest weekly event is a $100 No-limit Texas Hold ’em tournament with a $15,000 guaranteed prize pool. This event is held on Sundays.

Delaware online poker bonus

Each Delaware poker site offers a unique deposit bonus. Players can take advantage of all three.

All bonuses are awarded as soon as a deposit is made. Players have 30 days to clear the bonus. For every $1 in withdrawal request, players must earn 1.25 points.

Dover Downs

• Deposit: $30-$69 and receive $8
• Deposit: $70-$150 and receive $15
• Deposit: $151 or more and receive $25

Harrington Raceway

• Deposit: $10-$49 and receive $5
• Deposit: $50-$199 and receive $10
• Deposit: $200 or more and receive $20

Delaware Park

• Deposit: $50-$100 and receive $10
• Deposit: $101-$199 and receive $20
• Deposit: $200 or more and receive $30

Delaware online casino games

Online casino games are also available in Delaware. All three sites offer the same games.

There are 17 video slot titles. The only two table games available are blackjack and roulette.

Jacks or Better is the only video poker game spread at Delaware online casinos.

Delaware online poker FAQ

When did Delaware online poker launch?

The market launched on Nov. 8, 2013.

Which sites offer legal Delaware online poker?

The three legal Delaware poker sites:

• Doverdowns.com
• Delawarepark.com
• Harringtonraceway.com

What software does Delaware online poker use?

888 powers the Delaware online poker sites.

Delaware Park Poker Room

What software do Delaware online casinos use?

888 powers the Delaware online casino platform.

Does Delaware share player pools with any other states?

Yes, Nevada and Delaware share player pools.

What poker games are available at Delaware poker sites?

Texas Hold’em, Omaha, Omaha High/Low, Seven Card Stud, and Seven Card Stud High/Low are all spread by Delaware poker sites.

Are there sit and goes at legal Delaware poker sites?

Yes.

Are there multi-table tournaments at legal Delaware poker sites?

Yes.

How do I deposit at Delaware poker sites?

Deposits are accepted by:

• Visa
• MasterCard
• Electronic check

Delaware Park Poker Download

How do I withdraw from Delaware poker sites?

Withdrawals are processed by:

• Electronic check
• Paper check

What gaming commission regulates Delaware online poker?

The Delaware Lottery is the gaming regulator for Delaware online poker.

How do the sites know that I am in Delaware?

Delaware sites use geolocation to determine if a player is in the state at the time of play. A combination of cellphone triangulation, Wi-Fi positioning, and computer connection are considered to ensure that a player is connecting legally to the site.

Delaware Park Online Gambling

How old do you have to be to play Delaware online poker?

Delaware Park Casino Poker

The minimum age for Delaware online poker is 21 years of age.