Delaware Gov. John Carney's administration is "quietly putting together a plan to offer wagering on all professional and out-of-state college sports -- including single-game and propositional bet -- within weeks" of the Supreme Court's decision on Christie v. NCAA, which "could come as early as June," according to Scott Goss of the Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL. State Finance Dir Rick Geisenberger said, “If we can get to market faster than some of our neighbors there could be some real upside. We’re working to roll it out as quickly as possible.” Delaware is currently the "only state east of the Rocky Mountains that can legally offer a sports book, although its offerings are limited to parlays -- multi-game betting -- on pro football." When former Gov. Jack Markell "sought to take advantage of the state’s grandfathered status" under the Professional & Amateur Sports Protection Act, the state General Assembly "passed a bill approving all sports betting." Then pro leagues "filed suit and the U.S. Circuit Court limited Delaware to the parlays." But the "original state law still stands." So now if the Supreme Court "rules in New Jersey's favor, the Carney administration "likely would be able to institute full sports betting in Delaware without any further legislative approval." Carney's tentative plan is to "let gamblers place bets" on NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB and out-of-state college sports teams "only at Delaware's three casinos -- at least initially." Limiting sports betting to Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway also "could give a boost to those venues, which have been struggling" (Wilmington NEWS JOURNAL, 12/26).
YOU CAN'T PLAY HERE: In Indianapolis, Mark Alesia asks if the NCAA would "threaten to turn off the tap to millions in visitor dollars and television exposure if Indiana joins other states poised to legalize gambling on college sports." The NCAA currently "doesn't allow its championship events in Nevada" and in '12 pulled events from New Jersey "after the state moved to allow sports betting." More than 10 states have "passed or are considering anticipatory bills to make sports betting legal if the Supreme Court opens the gates." Indiana state Rep. Alan Morrison said that he will "introduce such a bill during the upcoming legislative session." States that "implement legal sports betting would also have to sort out several questions." Alesia: "Who would be allowed to take legal sports bets? How would it be taxed? What sports would be allowed for wagering?" That is "where the NCAA might weigh in" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 12/27).
