History of Gambling in Delaware
Delaware is one of the smallest US states, but it’s at the front line of gambling regulation in the United States. Thanks to the gambling laws, citizens of the state can enjoy a wide range of gambling options, including casino games, sports and so on. Interestingly, players can wager games right from the corner of their homes. The legalization of gambling in Delaware didn’t happen overnight, it was a gradual process.
Delaware Gambling Timeline
1937 – The state’s first legal betting race track, the Delaware Park, was established.
1974 – The state sold its first tickets, and the whole revenue was used to fund state projects
1993 – The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission and The Harness Racing Commission were founded and oversee the regulation of horse racing and betting activities.
2009 – Wagering casino games were allowed at the race track, giving birth to the first racinos.
2012 – Online gambling and online poker became legal in Delaware.
2013 – The three land-based casinos in the state offer free-to-play mode for games like blackjack, slots, and more.
2014 – The state legalizes real money games.
2018 – Delaware became the first state in the US to legalize online sports betting.
Delaware Gambling Laws
Delaware was among the many states in the US that were excluded from the full effect of the PASPA in 1992. However, the state was only allowed to offer licenses for certain sports betting, with bettors only able to bet on 3-team NFL wagers. After the PASPA act was dissolved, the state made arrangements to legalize sports betting totally, accepting the first total sports bet in June 2018.
Delaware is one of the top three US states that legalized online gambling, alongside Nevada and New Jersey. Players in the state can wager on games like daily fantasy sports, online poker, and lottery.
In addition, there’s a tax law mandating a tax rate on Delaware residents. The amount is between 2.2% to 6.6% of the winnings. Also, the state holds 24% of winnings above $5,000. Players need to be 18 years to play the lottery but at least 21 years for all other wagering activities.
DE Brick and Mortar Casinos
The state is home to three reliable land-based casinos where players can enjoy an assortment of casino games. Each is a mix of racetrack and casino. The rulings enacted by the Delaware General Assembly in 1994 permitted slot machines and lottery activities at pari-mutual horse racing facilities. This gave birth to the casino gambling industry in Delaware.
The Table Games bill was signed in 2010, allowing players to bet on table games in the state. The three DE casinos are regulated and controlled by Delaware Lottery. Real money casino games in the state are permitted at Harrington Raceway & Casinos, Dover Downs, and Delaware Park.
Delaware Online Casinos
The significant changes to the DE online gambling industry took effect in 2012. This made Delaware the first-ever US state to legalize online casino gambling. Furthermore, the state created its first free-to-play online casino in 2013. This was followed instantly by a real-money casino launched in November of that same year.
Notably, online casino gambling in Delaware is legal for the residents, provided they are physically living in the state. Players can enjoy a wide range of games at Delaware online casinos. Some of the most popular games available include blackjack, slots, poker, roulette, and baccarat.
Real money gambling is provided through the three state’s land-based casinos. Delaware Lottery partnered with top-tier iGaming providers, including Scientific Games and 888Holdings, to power the Delaware online casino platforms. With these top developers, you can access a user-friendly platform with plenty of casino game options. You can access high-quality online casino games regardless of which land-based facilities you choose.
How to Choose the Best Online Casinos in Delaware
With the wide range of options available, Delaware residents may find it challenging to choose the best online casinos in the state. You should consider several things before selecting a DE online casino to play at, and we’ll discuss them below.
Legalization and Security
The first thing that makes the best Delaware gambling online casino is the licensing information. You should ensure their chosen casino is licensed under the Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement. This will assure you of a safe and fun gambling environment.
In addition, Delaware residents should confirm the casino’s security level before registering at the site. The best DE casino sites use Secure Socket Layer encryption techniques to safeguard players’ information.
Game Selection
One of the first things to consider when choosing a DE online casino is the game selection. You should look for to casinos with a diverse selection of games. The top DE online gambling sites will offer between 150 and 400 innovative casino games, ranging from table games to slots, pokers, and live dealer games.
Software Providers
When considering the number of games, it’s important to check their quality as well. You should not settle with casinos offering low-quality games, because that’s a recipe for boredom and bad time. You can avoid this by playing games made by trusted game providers. Top brands to consider include Real Time Gaming (RTG), NetEnt, Betsoft, Evolution, Revolver Gaming, and others.
Casino Bonuses
Bonuses are a great way to kick off your iGaming journey, especially if you’re just getting started. The best Delaware casinos online will attract players with a welcome bonus and other promotions. When choosing a casino in DE, you should pay attention to the bonus amount, validity period, betting limit, and wagering conditions. The wagering requirements determine how much will you have to play at the casino before being able to cash out the winnings.
Mobile Experience
The best Delaware online gambling sites adapt their site to be accessible across all iOS and Android mobile devices. Some have dedicated and mobile-optimized Delaware casino apps that you can install on your device. Simply create an account on the mobile app, claim bonuses, deposit play online casino games for real money or demo mode, and withdraw your winnings – all from your phone.
This allows Delaware residents to gamble online in the comfort of their homes. However, Delaware gambling sites without a dedicated app can be used via your mobile web browser.
How to Play at a Delaware Casino?
Getting started with a DE casino is pretty straightforward. After choosing your favorite casin0, you need to create an account with the casino. Follow the steps below to get started.
Step 1 – Create a Free Casino Account
The first step is to create an account with the casino. Click the Join Now to access the registration form. You should ensure that the information is accurate because it will be required to verify your information when you withdraw your winnings.
Step 2 – Deposit Funds
If you want to wager real money games, you need to deposit funds into your casino account. Locate the cashier section and choose from the available payment options. Provide your payment details and enter the amount you want to deposit. Enter the promo code if needed so you won’t miss the welcome bonus offer.
Step 3 – Choose From the Most Popular Casino Games
Once you deposit, visit the casino lobby and start playing your favorite casino games. You can choose from table games to live dealer games and slot machines.
Delaware Casino Bonuses
With the stiff competition in the US market, most Delaware state casinos strive to attract players with generous bonuses and promotions. Here are the most common types of offers among DE gambling sites.
- Deposit Bonuses: With this bonus, you can get extra cash and/or free spins after making a deposit.
- Free Spins: This kind of bonus lets you play slots for free. The game will treat them as real money bets.
- Cashback: The casino will compensate a certain percentage of your losses during a set period.
- No Deposit Bonuses: This is a very rare kind of bonus offer that you can claim without making a deposit.
However, we recommend that you thoroughly read the terms and conditions to avoid any fine print. Keep an eye out for wagering requirements, expiration dates, game limitations and other terms.
Casino Games at Delaware Casinos
Delaware casinos offer access to a vast range of online casino games. Regardless of your game preference, there’s something for you to enjoy. Below are the game options available at the best DE casino.
Slot Machines
These are the most popular games in the industry, and they form the larger part of the games available at DE casino sites. The games have various themes, genres, designs, bonuses, storylines, and paylines. You can choose from 3D to classic slots, video slots, 3-reel slots, 5-reel slots, and progressive jackpot slots. Popular titles include 10 Times Vegas, A Night with Cleo, 777 Deluxe, and 8 Lucky Charms.
Blackjack
Most brick and online casinos offer access to different variants of blackjack games, and they have made the transition into the online world as well. It’s popular among players because of its low casino house edge. The aim is to beat the dealer by having a higher hand without exceeding 21. Famous examples include American Blackjack, Multi-Hand Blackjack, Vegas Strip Blackjack, Atlanta City Blackjack, and European Blackjack.
Roulette
This is also another popular table game that you’ll find at Delaware casinos. It’s a game of chance, and winning depends on luck. The game is played on a spinning wheel with colored numbers. When the wheel spins, the dealer throws in a small ball until the wheel stops, and the ball lands on a numbered pocket. You can place various types of bets like even or odd, black or red, high or low, etc. Famous roulette variants include American Roulette, French Roulette, and European Roulette.
Live Dealer Games
Many DE online casino sites offer live dealer games to give you a taste of real-world gambling. Popular options include Craps, Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Video Poker, and more. The games are streamed from a dedicated studio and you can play with human dealers.
Deposit and Withdrawal Options
Delaware casinos provide access to popular and convenient banking options like Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfers, Skrill, and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Altcoin. Also, some casinos accept checks and in-person payments. Usually, the payments will be processed instantly.
Unlike deposits, withdrawals at a DE casino site can take between hours to a few days to be processed. However, this depends on the banking method you choose. The minimum withdrawal amount could be between $10 and $40, but the maximum withdrawal depends on the method, which varies from casino to casino.
How to Withdraw Your Winnings at a DE Casino?
The process to withdraw your winnings is easy. Visit the cashier area and click withdraw to make your request. Choose a payment option and the amount you want to withdraw. Then click enter. Note that the casino will request you to verify your account before you can withdraw. This involves submitting documents like driver’s license, government ID card, statement of account, and utility bill.