This LocalsInsider.com guide to fun and secure real money gambling in Delaware is written by veteran gambling journalist and betting expert Bob Duff, whose work has appeared in Forbes, the Toronto Star, and multiple major sports publications. Learn more about him on his Muck Rack profile.
Guide to Gambling in Delaware
Delaware is called the first state because on December 7, 1787, it became the first of the 13 original states to ratify the U.S. Constitution. When it comes to the legalization of gambling, Delaware has also proven to be a state that stays ahead of the curve.
Maybe you don’t have Delaware high up on your list of states you’d want to visit on your next vacation. However, if you’re someone who likes to hit the casino, bet on sports, or maybe put a buck or two on the ponies, you shouldn’t be overlooking Delaware. This is a state in which you can do all that . . . and so much more.
Delaware offers an ideal mix of relaxation and exploration. You’ll be able to visit quaint colonial towns, many which hold significant historical significance in the formation of the USA. As a coastal state, Delaware offers miles of pristine beaches, plenty of opportunities to hike along nature trails and numerous historic landmarks.
And of course, there’s oodles of opportunity to gamble. Casinos, sports betting and poker are all legal here and you can even partake in all of these activities online if you choose. Live horse racing is offered and there’s been a legal state lottery in place since 1974.
The legal age to bet on casino gambling and sports betting in Delaware is 21. You can wager on horse racing at the age of 18.
The Best gambling venues in Delaware: where can you bet and play slots in The First State
Delaware offers access to three land-based casinos. The gaming areas in each casino operate 24/7 every day of the year. Each brick-and-mortar casino works in partnership with one of the state’s three racetracks. Only one of the three sites – Bally’s Dover – provides access to a resort that includes a luxury hotel.
The Best Delaware Casinos
Harrington Raceway Casino
- Address: 18500 DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE 19952
- Phone: (888) 887-5687
- Website: harringtonraceway.com
The casino was launched at Harrington Raceway in 1996, when a slot machine parlor was introduced at the track featuring 500 machines. The site underwent a $50 million renovation in 2007 and was given its current name.
The expansion saw additions to the site including a new restaurant, lounge, coffee shop, high-stakes gaming areas, and an expanded buffet. In fact, there are now seven dining options, including a pair of lounges that offer live entertainment from local bands. There are also facilities to host meetings and weddings and onsite catering is available.
As well, the total number of slots in the casino was increased to 2,100. Table games were added to the casino in 2010. You can play blackjack, craps, roulette and several varieties of poker. An onsite BetRivers Sportsbook offers betting on a number of sports.
Bally’s Dover
- Address: 1131 N Dupont Hwy., Dover, Delaware 19901
- Phone: (302) 674-4600
- Website: casinos.ballys.com/dover
Formerly known as Dover Downs, Bally’s Dover is the largest retail casino situated in Delaware. There’s a harness racing track offering live and simulcast racing and a speedway that is home to NASCAR races.
Bally’s Dover is a full service casino resort, offering 2,000 slots to play, an array of table games and 250-seat BetRivers Sportsbook in Delaware. The massive slot area offers enticing progressive jackpots with life-altering prizes and everything from penny slots up to $100 a pull for high rollers. There’s a selection of 33 table games, featuring such options as Mini Baccarat Macau Style with Dragon Bonus, blackjack, roulette, Emperor’s Challenge Pai Gow Poker, High Card Flush, and 3 Card Poker with 6 card bonus bet. A high limits room delivers the chance to play as much as $9,000 in bets on one hand of blackjack.
If you’re looking to make a vacation out of your casino visit, then Bally’s Dover is the all-encompassing resort you’re seeking. Bally’s Dover Casino Resort offers modern and comfortable rooms featuring a classic design aesthetic and deluxe amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center and six onsite dining options. Room rates start as low as $89 per night.
The Rollins Center concert venue at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort mixes an intimate feel with state-of-the-art acoustics. Such world-class performers as Boyz II Men, Jimmie Allen and Howie Mandel have appeared there. Upscale shopping is also available onsite at The Colonnade.
Delaware Park Casino
- Address: 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington, DE 19804
- Phone: (302) 994-2521
- Website: delawarepark.com
Conveniently located just a few minutes south of Wilmington and the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Delaware Park Casino mixes the thrill of live thoroughbred horse racing alongside the excitement of over 1,800 slot machines. Game offerings featured are progressive jackpots, reels, video slots and video poker.
Play rates on the slot machines range from a penny up to $25. Popular table games include blackjack, roulette, craps and poker. Play Spanish 21, Pai Gow Poker, or EZ Baccarat. There’s also a high limits room for more serious players.
Take a seat in the onsite sportsbook offering parlays, straight bets, round robins, teasers, and futures on all of your favorite sports. There’s also year-round simulcast wagering on horse racing.
When you get an appetite, you’ll find no less than 11 dining options inside the Delaware Park Casino. Private events can be booked, such as weddings, birthday parties and corporate functions. Packages can be booked for as little as $130.
Delaware Horse Racing
Delaware Park was opting to legalize wagering on horse racing in 1937. Delaware Park opened on June 26, 1937. Offering live race cards from May to October, it remains today the only thoroughbred horse racing track in the state.
Existing originally as a fair track when it opened in 1920, Harrington Raceway first offered pari mutuel wagering on its harness racing product in 1946. Today the track provides some 70 days of live racing per year. Dates are split between a spring meet and an autumn meet. Racing is usually held Monday through Wednesday evenings.
In 1969, Dover Downs and Dover Speedway opened at the same location. The former offers live harness racing, while the latter plays host to NASCAR racing. Live horse racing is contested from November to mid-April, while simulcasts of harness and thoroughbred racing operate year-round.
Delaware Online Sports Betting
Long before the US Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to repeal the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) and make widespread sports betting accessible to US states, Delaware was already taking sports betting action.
The state offered a limited selection of sports bets, which basically consisted of three-team parlay wagering on NFL games. After the PASPA decision, Delaware was among the first US states to offer online sports betting. You’ll find that the only online sports betting action in the state is provided by BetRivers. This sportsbook holds an exclusive contract with the state government.
For visitors to Delaware, you can bet on sports online while situated in the state. Simply open up an account through BetRivers to get in on the action.
Delaware Online Casinos
Delaware legalized online casino gambling in 2012 and the first online casino opened a year later. Similar to sports betting, all online casino operations in the state of Delaware are operated by BetRivers.
With each of the state’s three online casinos being under the auspices of BetRivers, there’s little in the way of difference when jumping from one online casino to another. Competition really isn’t in play in Delaware’s online casino industry.
Again, similar to sports betting, visitors to the state can open an account with any of the three online casino sites and gamble there as long as you remain physically present within state lines. Delaware also provides the opportunity to play online poker.
