Delaware: BetRivers launches mobile sports betting, expanding online wagering options in the state

Delaware, having previously pioneered legal sports betting following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, has marked a new gambling milestone as BetRivers' mobile sportsbook went live on Wednesday. While Delaware's legal retail sports betting began in June 2018, the state now embraces mobile wagering with the introduction of BetRivers' betting app, accessible both on iOS and Android.

As the 29th state to embrace digital sports betting since the repeal of PASPA, Rush Street Interactive assumed the role of the Delaware State Lottery's official vendor for online gaming in August 2023. BetRivers stands as the exclusive operational legal sports betting app in Delaware.

Previously without legal mobile sports betting, Delaware joins neighboring states Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington D.C., and West Virginia in offering this form of wagering. At the same time, BetRivers, operating in 14 states, including New York, further expands its US presence with the Delaware launch.

In August, the Delaware Lottery announced BetRivers as its iGaming partner after its association with 888 Holdings dissolved. The BetRivers online sports betting debut on December 27 signifies the commencement of online sports gambling in the state.

Delaware's position as the 28th state to launch legal online sports betting underscores its ongoing commitment to evolving within the sports betting landscape. The state was among the first to join Nevada in offering full-scale, single-game sports betting following the Supreme Court's repeal of PASPA in May 2018.

While Delaware has maintained its sports betting legacy through in-person activities at the state's three casinos, Bally's Dover, Delaware Park Casino, and Harrington Casino & Raceway, BetRivers' entry into the online space is a pivotal development. The state's casinos, functioning as an extension of the state-run lottery, contribute to the lottery's proceeds and the horse racing industry.

BetRivers' agreement with the Delaware Lottery allows the sportsbook to accept bets via the Internet. The launch also aligns with Rush Street Interactive's strategic initiatives, following challenges encountered in Connecticut, where its $170 million deal with the Connecticut Lottery was terminated.

In addition to introducing online sports betting, BetRivers' launch marks the redirection of online gaming websites for Delaware's three casinos to the Rush Street entity. BetRivers is set to operate the online casino sites on the state's behalf for an initial term of five years, with the potential for extension.

Delaware's embrace of iGaming supports the Delaware General Fund, aligning the state with a select few with legal iGaming offerings, including New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and West Virginia.