As the NFL playoffs near an end, so does Delaware’s first season of expanded sports betting.
Last year, the Delaware Gaming and Competitiveness Act of 2012 expanded sports betting on NFL games from the state’s three casinos to include 31 retail locations.
Delaware Lottery Director Vernon Kirk says since the expansion the number of bets placed has increased by more than 42 percent.
“And by the way there’s no cannibalization from the three race tracks. Their sales are up about 8 percent themselves so it’s not like we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul here," said Kirk. "It’s just a natural expansion. We made an effort to make the games available to more people with more convenience for our players.”
State revenues are not expected to rise as dramatically as the number of bets placed because bettors have been more successful this season in picking winners, especially in November when the state actually lost money.
Though the Super Bowl is still a few weeks away, Kirk says this weekend is the last time this season that bets can be placed in Delaware.
“That’s due to the requirement of [at least] a three-team parlay and we’re running out of games this year. But overall, for the year it’s been a smashing success, if I may say so,” said Kirk.
Kirk says final playoff bets in Delaware must be made before the San Francisco 49ers take on the Atlanta Falcons at 3:00 p.m. Sunday. Parlay betters will be picking winners from that game, the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots game at 6:30 and the Super Bowl February 3rd.
