Written by:

Ben Fiore

Ben Fiore

Ben has been an avid sports fan his whole life and mostly follows football and basketball, both professional and collegiate. He has been covering topics that vary from Super Bowl prop bets to articles about the generated revenue from regulated sports betting. He is currently finishing his Editing, Writing, and Media Degree at Florida State University, with a minor in Business. Diving into the world of sports betting, he is ecstatic to work in an area that has combined his two passions of sports and writing.

Ben Fiore

Best Legal Delaware Sports Betting Apps + Sportsbooks

Legal Delaware Sports Betting

Legal Delaware sports betting has never been an issue. Delaware was one of the few states allowed to offer betting odds before 2018. Exempt from PASPA, there have been legal sports betting apps that accept Delaware residents for decades. But, the best DE sportsbook apps 2026 that are legal continue to be the online options. These books offer full-service sports betting. Before Delaware became the first US-regulated sports market post PASPA, this was the sole option. Now, Delaware offers land-based sports betting in three local casinos and legal sports betting sites of their own. The biggest thing to remember is the ban on college sports betting. Bettors using a local book will not be able to bet on Delaware colleges or any game played inside state lines. This is not true for legal Delaware sports betting sites based globally, which take action on everything.

  • Retail sportsbooks are available at three local Delaware tribal casinos.
  • Only one Delaware sports betting app exists (BetRivers) but online sports betting is also available.
  • After PASPA’s repeal, Delaware became the first state to launch sports betting inside their borders.

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Top Delaware Sports Betting Sites

 Is Bovada Legal In Delaware?

Using Bovada in Delaware in not against the law. Still, you will find problems when trying to start an account. Our complete ​2026 Bovada sportsbook review covers this in more detail, but in short, Bovada does not allow Delaware residents to sign up and play. This likely stems from past sports betting regulations that both parties agreed to. If you have a Bovada account and live in Delaware, contact their customer service to get your money back. If you don’t have any sportsbook account, try one of the legal Delaware sportsbooks below.

#1

BetOnline Sportsbook Review

Top Delaware Sportsbook

BetOnline is one of the top online sportsbook options for Delaware players and has been safely and legally providing sportsbook services to Delaware residents for years. Bettors can expect to find an easy-to-use online sportsbook as well as incredibly valuable betting odds, including odds on Delaware college teams.

BetOnline Sportsbook

Pros:

  • Reliable Banking Methods
  • Strong Server Connection
  • 10+ Year Track Record
  • Huge Assortment Of Odds
  • No App Mobile Betting
Visit BetOnline Sportsbook

Delaware Sports Betting And Gambling Laws

The Delaware sports betting laws clearly define what types of betting are permitted.  Article 2, § 17 et seq. of the Delaware Constitution permits lotteries, pari-mutuel wagering, and games of bingo. Under the constitution, licensed racetracks are authorized to allow simulcasts of horse races.

Title 29 Chapter 48 of the Delaware Code further outlines lotteries and specifically lays the framework for the sports lottery. The Delaware Gambling Competitiveness Act of 2012 brought legalized Internet poker and casino games to Delaware. These sports betting laws served as an amendment to Titles 4 and 29 of the Delaware Code and included the application, operational, and consumer safety requirements of Internet gaming operators wishing to enter Delaware. No further retail sportsbooks will launch (barring a legislative change), since Delaware’s three casinos share a license and equally contribute to pay fees

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Delaware Sports Betting Timeline

  • 2023: Delaware legislators have yet to signal any interest in a state-regulated online sports betting industry.
  • 2018: PASPA is overturned, and the Delaware Lottery expands their sports betting offering to include single-game betting on professional and collegiate sports at Delaware casinos, with NFL and college football parlay cards available at licensed lottery retailers.
  • 2009: Federal Courts limit Delaware’s sports betting lottery parlay card system to NFL parlays only, reflecting the system that was in place in 1976.
  • 1992: The Professional and Amatuer Sports Protection Act of 1992 – also known as The Bradley Act or PASPA – is passed, effectively outlawing sports betting in the United States. Despite this, a partial exemption is included in the act to allow Delaware to operate a sports betting lottery system like they did in 1976.
  • 1976: The Delaware Lottery introduces a sports betting parlay card system, which is active for the 1976 season only and only encompasses NFL games and futures.
  • 1969: Dover Downs begins operation, hosting both horse racing and auto racing events.
  • 1937: Delaware Park – Delaware’s first horse racing track – opens its doors to the public for the first time.
  • 1933: The Delaware Racing Commission is established to oversee horse racing in Delaware.

Delaware Sports Betting Regulations

There are a variety of regulations that bettors must keep in mind in Delaware. The first and perhaps most important of these is that bettors must be 21 years of age or older to bet on sports in Delaware. There is also a restriction on betting on Delaware college teams at Delaware-regulated sportsbooks. High school sports and other events involving minors are also banned at Delaware-regulated sportsbooks. If using the Delaware Lottery’s parlay ticket system, winners must claim their winnings within one calendar year from purchase – if they fail to do so, they will forfeit all winnings. Non-residents of Delaware who win money sports betting in Delaware must file a form 1040NR and claim their winnings at a 30% tax rate.

Where To Bet On Sports In Delaware

There are more than 100 places to bet on sports in Delaware. This is because the state offers their sports lottery parlays at sportsbooks and numerous retail locations. You will find all of the current Delaware Sports Lottery locations here. However, if it’s full-service sports betting you’re interested in, that is limited to only three DE locations.

Dover Delaware Sportsbooks
Race and Sports Book at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino

The Race and Sports Book at Dover Downs is an intimate experience, not yet fleshed out with all the amenities of larger casino sportsbooks. Thankfully, it is conveniently located in Delaware’s capital and features live harness racing at its racetrack.

Harrington Delaware Sportsbooks
Race and Sports Book at Murphy’s Harington Casino

Murphy’s Harrington Casino’s calling card is its state-of-the-art simulcast racing parlor. It also offers a full complement of betting options for professional sporting events all over the world and out-of-state college football and basketball games.

Wilmington Delaware Sportsbooks
Casino at Delaware Park Sportsbook

The Casino at Delaware Park is Delaware’s largest sports betting operator, offering full, Las Vegas-style sports betting with helpful tutorials for new players. It is also only an hour away from Baltimore, making it an excellent destination for Orioles and Ravens fans.

Comparing Delaware’s Sports Betting Industry To Nearby Markets

Delaware has a very unique sports betting market compared to other nearby jurisdictions. With an exemption from PASPA, Delaware didn’t pass legislation to regulate sports betting. Instead, the Delaware Lottery altered their rules in May 2018. This allowed them to launch single-game sports betting in Delaware at three locations. The sports betting industry in Delaware has not changed much since 2018. Neighboring Pennsylvania’s sports betting market differs from Delaware. At maturity, Pennsylvania has over two dozen combined online and retail sportsbooks.

Can I Bet Real Money On Sports In Delaware?

Yes, real money can be bet on sports in Delaware at brick-and-mortar sportsbooks, mobile sports betting applications, and offshore internet sports betting websites. All three ways to gamble on sports for real money in Delaware are legal, with DE home to some of the best legal real money sportsbooks in the United States.

What Is The Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Delaware?

Delaware sportsbooks require their customers to be 21+ by law to bet on sports matchups. Despite Internationally-based sportsbooks like BetOnline listing their age limit as 18, residents of Delaware are still under Delaware law, and thus must be 21 or older to meet the legal sports betting age requirement.

What Legal Delaware Sports Betting Apps Can I Use?

Yes, Delaware has mobile sports betting applications open for download for residents to use to gamble on sporting events. International online sportsbooks do not have apps to download but can be used, but can be used as legal mobile sports betting sites on cell phones in the same exact fashion.

Delaware Teams To Bet On

Due to Delaware being in such close proximity to Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C., residents tend to share their fandom with these states. Delaware is one of 24 states without a professional sports team, but they do host several collegiate and minor professional sports teams. One of the best aspects of using an online sportsbook is that they offer betting lines on just about every team imaginable.

College Sports Teams In Delaware

Team:Conference:
Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens (D1)CAA
Delaware State Hornets and Lady Hornets (D1)MEAC
Goldey–Beacom Lightning (D2)Central Atlantic
Wilmington Wildcats (D2)Central Atlantic

Major D-I College Sports Teams Near Delaware

Team:Conference:
Maryland TerrapinsBig 10
Penn State Nittany LionsBig 10
Penn QuakersIvy League
Temple OwlsAmerican
Villanova WildcatsBig East
St. Joseph’s HawksAtlantic 10
Georgetown HoyasBig East
Navy MidshipmenPatriot (American in Football)
Rutgers Scarlet KnightsBig 10
Princeton TigersIvy League

Professional Sports Teams In Delaware

Team:League:
Delaware Blue CoatsNBA G League
Delaware Blue RocksMiLB Class High-A

Professional Sports Teams Near Delaware

Team:League:
Washington CommandersNFL
Washington NationalsMLB
Washington WizardsNBA
Washington CapitalsNHL
Philadelphia EaglesNFL
Philadelphia PhilliesMLB
Philadelphia 76ersNBA
Philadelphia FlyersNHL
Baltimore RavensNFL
Baltimore OriolesMLB

Horse Racing Betting In Delaware

Horse racing betting has been a staple in Delaware for quite some time. Pari-mutuel wagering was legalized in 1936 with the opening of Delaware Park. There are three different racetracks in Delaware: Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs. All three of these venues offer both live and simulcast racing.

Horse enthusiasts can also use online racebooks to bet on the ponies. With online racebooks, you can place the same types of horse bets that you would at the track. The difference is that you will have access to races all over the world, and you can get additional bonuses for using the horse racing betting site’s services. Other perks such as horse racing results, live horse streams, and daily rebates make online racebooks popular amongst horse bettors. Best of all, these racebooks are all located at the top offshore sports betting sites, so you only need a single membership to bet on horse racing.

Daily Fantasy Sports In Delaware

The legality of daily fantasy sports in Delaware has changed over the years. While the Delaware Department of Justice had at one point declared DFS to not be allowed in the state, lawmakers have worked to change this. On July 26th, 2017, Gov. John Carney signed DE HB 249 into law, which legalized daily fantasy sports in Delaware. The bill served as an amendment to Title 29 of the Delaware Code, permitting the regulation of DFS. Now, DE residents can play daily fantasy contests at the top DFS sites, including DraftKings and FanDuel.

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Legal Delaware Sports Betting FAQs

Is Online Sports Betting Safe In Delaware?

Yes, whether players choose to use state mobile sportsbooks or online betting sites, online sports gaming is safe in Delaware. Operators take great precautions to make sure that their players have a secure sports betting experience while gambling on the internet in Delaware.

Where Is The Best Place To Bet On Sports In Delaware?

There are best three places to bet on sports in Delaware are Delaware Park Sportsbook in Wilmington, Murphy’s Sportsbook in the Harrington Raceway and Casino, and the Dover Downs Sportsbook.

Can I Bet On Sports With My Friends In Delaware?

Yes, it’s 100% legal to gamble on sports with friends in Delaware. There are no laws that stop residents from doing so but then again, why would there be when the state has a legal market of its own for the activity.

NFL Betting In Delaware

Although there aren’t any NFL teams in Delaware, that doesn’t mean you don’t have access to all of their betting odds. You can still bet on all of your favorite teams and every betting line that comes along with them. Whether it is gamelines, futures, player props, game props, or one of the numerous NFL betting lines that are offered on these legal online betting sites, you have access to all of them in Delaware with no issue at all.

Should I Use A Neighborhood Bookie In Delaware?

No, bookies are not regulated on an individual level. It is much safer for the sports bettor to use a legal platform like an online operator or retail sportsbook in Delaware.

Will Delaware Expand Their Sports Betting Industry?

There have been no signs of growth for the Delaware sports betting industry. Retail sportsbooks opened in DE in 2021, with bettors still choosing between internationally-based online sportsbooks since then.