Delaware Still Faces Obstacles To Sept. 1 Sports Betting Start

Federal Court Will Hear Arguments To Halt Betting In Delaware Monday

Delaware's plan to begin sports betting on September 1 "faces one final -- and formidable -- hurdle: the federal courts," as the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia Monday will hear arguments on the four U.S. major sports leagues and the NCAA's "bid to halt" betting in the state, according to a sports section cover story by A.J. Perez of the USA TODAY. The lawsuit filed by the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and the NCAA against the state also "proceeds in U.S. District Court in Wilmington," and a trial in that portion of the case has been set for December. Perez notes even if the appellate court "allows sports betting to begin in Delaware as scheduled," there is "no certainty about how long it will last." State officials are "counting on new revenue to help alleviate a budget crisis," but the leagues are "fearing what they see as a threat to their sports' integrity." The Delaware Department of Finance projected that adding sports gambling "would bring in an additional $53[M] annually" for the state. But that figure was "based on the state allowing only parlay wagers, in which a bettor must correctly pick the outcomes of multiple games to win." With Delaware now deciding to "take single-game bets, the state could reap millions more," but the addition of single-game betting has "drawn the sports leagues' ire, particularly the NFL." Meanwhile, Perez notes comparisons to Nevada "seem far-fetched when it comes to gambling here." Delaware "approved slot machines to supplement its flagging horse racing industry 15 years ago, and three of the state's racetracks built casinos, mostly catering to retirees" (USA TODAY, 8/19).

EXPLAINING THEIR STANCE: THE SPORTING BLOG's Dan Levy wondered, "Why would the leagues be so adamant about blocking Delaware from having sports gambling in the first place?" The state has no pro teams outside of Minor League Baseball, and sports gambling is "already legal in this country and has been a multi-billion dollar, taxable business." Levy: "So what's the big deal?" NFL VP/Communications Brian McCarthy in an e-mail said, "If you make it easier for people to gamble then more people will. This would increase the chances for people to question the integrity of the game. Those people who are upset will question whether an erroneous officiating call or dropped pass late in the game resulted from an honest mistake or an intentional act by a corrupt player or official." Levy wrote the stance is the "ultimate 'don't ask, don't tell,'" as the league "has to know how much money is gambled at shady online casinos and shadier street corners every week." Levy: "But as long as it's illegal in this country, the league doesn't have to worry about it infiltrating the sanctity of the game" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 8/18).