BetRivers: New Player in Delaware’s iGaming Arena

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: January 10, 2024

When the Delaware Lottery disclosed a groundbreaking partnership with BetRivers, which fundamentally altered the state’s iGaming landscape, it was a well-considered move. After the state’s long-standing collaboration with 888 Holdings was broken up, this action enables BetRivers to take the lead in Delaware’s online gaming market.

As its next iGaming partner, Delaware has chosen BetRivers, a well-known name in the online gaming industry, to take 888 Holdings’ place. The wide-ranging partnership includes the much-anticipated launch of online sports betting, among other online gaming domains. Delaware is entering a new era of digital wagering with BetRivers leading the way, and this move represents a significant turning point for the business.

Delaware’s Journey in Online Sports Betting

When it comes to the acceptability of legal sports betting, Delaware has been a pioneer. It gained notoriety for its early attempts at sports betting, particularly following the repeal of PASPA (the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act) in May 2018. As soon as feasible, the state joined forces with Nevada to offer complete single-game sports betting. Three state-operated casinos—Bally’s Dover, Delaware Park Casino, and Harrington Casino & Raceway—started accepting in-person bets on sports in June 2018.

However, Delaware has been a little slow to permit sports betting online; BetRivers’ entrance has finally closed this gap. An important milestone will be been reached when BetRivers enters the Delaware market, making the state the 28th in the US to have legalized online sports betting.

Delaware’s Unique Position Pre-PASPA Repeal

Delaware was in a unique situation prior to PASPA‘s repeal since it was one of the four states with some kind of protection from the federal sports gambling statute. When PASPA was passed in 1992, Delaware’s pre-existing parlay sports betting statute was cited as the reason for this exemption. Popular among Mid-Atlantic bettors, the state’s parlay cards came to represent its early foray into sports betting.

The three casinos in Delaware, each privately owned but operating as branches of the state lottery, are an integral part of the state’s gambling industry. The casinos keep some money for their operations, and the lottery gets a large amount of the gross earnings from the slot machines. This mutually beneficial relationship underscores the interdependence of Delaware’s gaming scene by bolstering the horse racing sector and vendor fees.

Beyond just offering online sports betting, BetRivers is involved in Delaware. Bally’s, Delaware Park, and Harrington’s online gambling sites were redirected to use BetRivers at the same time as the debut. BetRivers will be at the vanguard of Delaware’s iGaming scene for the first five years, with the option to extend. This includes online casino activities.

The decision to choose BetRivers as the retail sportsbook partner was heavily influenced by the Delaware Lottery, the regulatory agency in charge of all sports betting activity in the state, including both retail and online operations. This collaboration is a thoughtful step toward improving the online gaming experience for both locals and tourists.

BetRivers’ Past Endeavors and Future Prospects

Under the auspices of Rush Street Interactive, BetRivers has already dabbled in online sports betting. The competitive nature of the industry is reflected in the company’s decision to end a $170 million contract with the Connecticut Lottery in April. In spite of difficulties in Connecticut, BetRivers is upbeat about its chances in Delaware, hoping to take advantage of the expanding market for online gambling. BetRivers has already seen success on the East Coast, especially after BetRivers launched in New York in 2022.

The Delaware iGaming market is important for operators as well as the state’s economy. iGaming makes contributions to the Delaware General Fund, which are crucial in sustaining a range of state programs.

Delaware is one of the few states with an iGaming legal framework, along with New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia. The state’s adoption of BetRivers demonstrates its dedication to promoting an exciting and well-regulated online gambling landscape.