Delaware Sports Betting Revenue Insights: Trends and Analysis of 2025

9 min read
Feb 17, 2025, 10:04 AM

Delaware Sports Betting Overview

Delaware has a long history with sports betting, as one of the first states to offer it in a legal capacity.

In 1976, Delaware experimented with sports wagering with a 'football lottery,' but that attempt was ultimately a failure. Still, that early attempt gave the state a partial exemption from the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992, which allowed limited sports betting.

After PASPA was repealed in 2018, Delaware quickly expanded its sports betting offerings. On June 5, 2018, the state launched full-scale retail sportsbooks at its three casinos: Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

This included single-game and championship wagering on pro and college sports, excluding games involving Delaware teams.

In January 2024, the Delaware Lottery launched online sports betting through a partnership with the BetRivers platform from Rush Street Interactive. This was the state’s first foray into online sports wagering, allowing residents 21 and older to bet on pro and college sports via mobile devices and computers.

The state significantly increased its total sports betting handle by offering online betting. It was $65.3 million in 2023, and thanks to online wagering, it rose to $216.2 million in 2024.

Despite all these advances, Delaware’s sports betting market is still small compared to other states. The state has an exclusive contract with BetRivers for online sports betting. While there have been talks to open the market to more operators, the market remains a monopoly for now.

Due to the state's high 50% tax on sports betting revenue and relatively low population, it may not be particularly appealing to some sportsbooks.

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Delaware

Annual Sports Betting Growth in Delaware

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Monthly Sports Betting Growth in Delaware

2024

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Arizona Sports Betting Handle and Revenue

Since sports betting launched in Delaware, the state has seen some ups and downs, but it took a significant step forward in 2024.

In 2022, the total betting handle was $82.47 million, while revenue was $8.88 million. In 2023, betting activity slowed down, with the handle dropping to $65.33 million, but revenue increased to $10 million. But 2024 was the big one. With the introduction of online sports betting, the handle jumped to $216.24 million—more than triple the previous year.

Despite the growth, Delaware’s hold percentage dropped from 17.94% in 2022 to 6.99% in 2024. Total revenue was $14.59 million, and tax revenue was $8.47 million. Sports betting tax revenue in Delaware is distributed like this:

  • 50 percent goes to the State General Fund
  • 40 percent goes to the racetrack casinos as a commission
  • 10 percent goes to racing purses

2024 Highlights:

  • Total Handle: $216.24
  • GGR: $14.59
  • Sports Betting Tax Revenue: $8.47
  • Hold Percentage: 6.99%
  • Highest Monthly Handle: $28,445,372, December 2024
  • Highest Monthly GGR: $2,965,229.00, September 2024

With online betting taking off, Delaware’s sports betting market is in a new phase of growth. Mobile betting could keep the momentum going for years to come.

Latest Updates in Delaware's Sports Betting Sector

  • October 29, 2024: PrizePicks secures licenses to operate in Delaware, marking its expansion into 44 U.S. markets.
  • May 24, 2024: Progress is made toward a competitive betting landscape as House Bill 365 paves the way for state casinos to partner with two online sportsbooks apiece.
  • April 15, 2024: Lawmakers in Delaware put forward a proposal to open up the online sports betting market to competition.
  • December 27, 2023: BetRivers launches its online sportsbook in Delaware, becoming the state's only digital betting platform.

Delaware Betting Market Performance

Delaware’s sports betting market has been evolving, with a big jump in 2024, which was preceded by some tumultuous years with non-linear growth.

2018-2021

In the earliest years of Delaware's legal sports betting market, which was entirely reliant on retail sports betting, its total handle fluctuated fairly dramatically. In 2018, it debuted at $115.35 million before reaching $132.48 million the next year — a total Delaware didn't top until online wagers came into play in 2024.

From there, growth stagnated, as the handle dropped to $90.24 million in 2020 and couldn't eclipse the 2019 total in 2021 ($119.65 million).

2022

Delaware’s sports betting market started with a total handle of $82.47 million and revenue of $8.88 million. The state collected $6.55 million in taxes with a 17.94% hold.

2023

The market declined, with the handle dropping 21% to $65.33 million. However, revenue was up 13% to $10 million, and tax revenue was up 10% to $7.45 million. The hold was 13.14%, so operators were paying more to bettors than the previous year.

2024

Online sports betting changed the market, and Delaware’s handle increased by 231% to $216.24 million. Revenue was up 46% to $14.59 million, and tax revenue was up 29% to $8.47 million. The hold was 6.99%, so once again, bettors were getting a larger payout as a percentage of money wagered.

Delaware Snapshot

Key AspectDetails
PopulationApproximately 1.04 million residents as of 2024. (World Population Review, 2024)
Political AffiliationDelaware is a solidly Democratic state. It recently voted Democrat in the presidential election. (270towin.com, 2024)
Year Sports Betting LegalizedPermitted in person since 2018. Online and mobile sports betting operations began in 2024.
Number of Sportsbooks OperatingThere is only one online sportsbook: BetRivers
Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) 2024$14,585,100.00
Sports Betting Handle 2024$216,240,459.00
Professional Sports TeamsDelaware doesn't have any professional sports teams, but it is close to a number of them and is known for split loyalties between the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens during the NFL season. [The New York Times, 2009]

FAQs on Delaware's Sports Betting Revenue

General Questions

When did Delaware first legalize sports betting?

Delaware introduced sports betting in 1976 with a football lottery and later expanded to full-scale retail sportsbooks in 2018.

How has mobile wagering impacted Delaware’s sports betting market?

Mobile wagering started in 2024, leading to a 231% increase in total handle compared to 2023.

What is Delaware’s tax rate on sports betting revenue?

Delaware taxes sports betting revenue at 50%, and the funds are allocated to the state, racetrack casinos, and racing purses.

How does football season affect sports betting in Delaware?

Football season drives significant betting activity, contributing to record monthly handles, such as December 2024’s $28.4 million.

Why is Delaware’s online sports betting market limited?

Delaware has an exclusive contract with BetRivers, limiting competition and keeping the market a monopoly for now.