The favorable results may embolden Delaware to introduce a competitive online betting market, bringing it on par with other leading jurisdictions
March proved to be a momentous month for Delaware’s gambling industry, with consumer spending on sports betting skyrocketing by an astonishing 440.0% year-on-year, reaching $18.9 million. This remarkable surge significantly surpassed the $3.5 million spent in March of the previous year and marked a substantial 37.0% increase from February’s handle of $13.8 million.
Revenue figures also painted a robust picture, with March revenue totaling $1.0 million, a staggering 89.2% increase from last year’s $544,385 and an 83.8% rise from February’s $560,449. The surge in sports betting activity was propelled by January’s introduction of Delaware Lottery’s inaugural online sportsbook, powered by Rush Street Interactive (RSI) and BetRivers.
Delaware Park emerged as the frontrunner in sports betting revenue for March, raking in $681,548 from $13.1 million in bets. Harrington Raceway secured the second position, reporting revenue of $176,583 from $3.3 million in bets, followed by Bally’s Dover with $113,692 generated from $1.5 million in bets.
Retail sports betting contributed $58,273 in monthly revenue from $990,664 in bets across Delaware. These figures validate the widely accepted stance that online and brick-and-mortar wagering can coexist as they cater to different demographics and offer different player experiences. The following months will demonstrate whether this trend continues.
Shifting the focus to the online casino market, March witnessed a surge in total spending, reaching $136.0 million, a remarkable 227.7% increase from March 2023’s total of $41.5 million. Revenue in the online casino sector also experienced substantial growth, surpassing last year’s figures by 228.6% to reach $4.6 million. This surge marked a notable 18.0% increase from February’s revenue of $3.9 million.
Delaware Park also emerged as a dominant player in the online casino segment, reporting $2.0 million in revenue from online video and table games, with a total wager amount of $71.1 million. Harrington Raceway secured the second spot with $1.6 million in revenue from $38.9 million in total wagers, followed by Bally’s Dover with $951,096 in revenue from $26.1 million in bets.
The success of the sports betting and online casino markets in Delaware underscores the positive impact of recent platform launches by operators, with all three major operators rolling out new online casino platforms in January. As consumer interest and engagement continue to escalate, Delaware’s gaming landscape is poised for sustained growth and innovation in the months ahead.
