Support for HB 333 “slipping back and forth” – expected to be first on Wednesday’s agenda

Delaware’s Senate has delayed a crucial vote on a bill authorising online gambling in the state.

HB 333, a bill which would permit the sale of online lottery tickets, allow residents to play online casino games and expand gambling beyond the state’s three casinos, was scheduled for a vote on Tuesday.

A source close to the matter said the Senate broke for caucus prior to a vote yesterday due to further discussions needed around amendments in the latest draft of the bill. These include provisions to satisfy the state’s horse racing business, which has asked for a greater share in the profits from online gaming.

The bill is now expected to be first on today’s agenda and will need to be signed by Governor Jack Markell by the 30 June legislative deadline in order to pass into law.

According to local news source Delaware Online, Senate Majority Leader Patricia Blevins said support for the gambling expansion was “slipping back and forth” and Democratic leaders “wanted to be certain where we stood.”

A spokesman for Governor Markell, who is understood to be in support of the bill, was reported as saying: “Members of the administration were working with senators and others on an amendment that was of concern, and while progress was made and the sponsor agreed not to run it, given the late hour Senate leadership decided the bill will be worked first on the agenda on Wednesday instead.”

The bill, sponsored by Representative John Viola, passed out of the state Senate earlier this month.

Delaware could become third US state or territory to regulate online gambling if Governor Jack Markell signs bill before 30 June deadline

The future of online gambling in Delaware hangs in the balance today as HB 333 faces a crucial Senate vote.

The bill, sponsored by Representative John Viola and backed by Governor Jack Markell (pictured), is scheduled for a vote in today’s Senate session which begins at 2pm EST where it must receive a 60% majority to pass.

It would permit the sale of online lottery tickets – including instant win games –  and allow Delaware residents to play casino-style games including slots. All games would be offered under the control and operation of the state lottery.

To date, only Nevada and the US Virgin Islands have regulated online gambling, although bills are under consideration in other states such as California and New Jersey.

Governor Markell’s plans would also expand the locations in which keno games could be played beyond Delaware’s three existing casinos to more than 100 sites, as well as making sports lottery available at venues other than the video lottery agents, such as bars or convenience stores.

Having been passed by the state House on 12 June, the bill faces a legislative deadline of 30 June, by which time the Governor must sign it into law.

Markell first announced plans for egaming in the First State back in March and claims that the expansion of gambling would provide a welcome boost to the state’s land-based casinos.

He says the extra revenue the regulation would attract would eliminate the US$4m in slot machine fees paid by casinos each year and cut their table game fees from $6.75m to $3m, helping them to remain competitive with nearby states.

HB 333 heads for full floor vote on 26 June – would allow online casino games through state lottery

A bill which would authorise online gambling in Delaware including casino games and sports lottery is heading for a crucial vote which could see it passed into law by the end of the month.

HB 333 cleared a Senate committee hearing on Wednesday, having been passed by the state’s House of Representatives earlier this month. It will now be subject to a full floor vote at the state senate on 26 June, where it must receive a 60% majority to pass.

The bill, sponsored by Representative John Viola, would allow the sale of lottery tickets online and casino-style games and to be offered under the control and operation of the Delaware Lottery.

It also permits the expansion of keno games beyond Delaware’s three existing casinos to more than 100 sites, and sports lottery at venues other than the video lottery agents, such as bars or convenience stores.

HB 333 has the backing of Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who needs to sign the legislation into law before the legislative session ends on 30 June.

Markell first announced plans for egaming in the First State back in March and claims that the expansion of gambling would provide a welcome boost to the state’s land-based casinos.

He says the extra revenue the regulation would attract would eliminate the US$4m in slot machine fees paid by casinos each year and cut their table game fees from $6.75m to $3m, helping them to remain competitive with nearby states.

HB 333 would permit casino and lottery games through the Delaware Lottery

A bill which would authorise online gambling in Delaware including casino games and sports lottery has been passed by the state’s House of Representatives.

HB 333, known as the Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012, permits the sale of instant-win lottery games, and tickets for the Powerball and Mega Millions draws, while casino games such as slots and blackjack would also be permitted. All games would be under the control and operation of the Delaware Lottery.

It would also allow the Delaware Lottery to operate the sports lottery at venues other than the video lottery agents, such as bars or convenience stores.

The passage through the House follows The House Gaming and Parimutuels Committee voting in favour of the bill last month.

The bill, sponsored by Representative John Viola, states that “internet lottery games would be offered solely to persons within the State of Delaware at the current time. A person’s location would be determined from a person’s computer or mobile device”.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell first announced his interest in regulating online gaming in March, stating that the expansion of gambling would help casinos by eliminating the US$4m in slot machine fees paid by the existing casinos and cut their table game fees from $6.75m to $3m, helping them to remain competitive with nearby states.

HB 333 also proposes the expansion of keno games beyond Delaware’s three existing casinos to more than 100 sites.

HB 333 would authorise online lottery ticket sales and casino-style games

Lawmakers in Delaware have taken a step closer to regulating egaming after a committee approved a bill allowing for online casino games to be offered through the state lottery.

The House Gaming and Parimutuels Committee has voted in favour of House Bill 333, which contains plans for the overall expansion of gambling in Delaware and would also allow lottery tickets to be sold online. It will now progress to the state House for a vote.

The Delaware Gaming Competitiveness Act of 2012 seeks to authorise internet gaming through the state lottery to players who are over the age of 21 and present within the state’s border.

This would include the sale of instant-win lottery games ,as well as tickets for the Powerball and Mega Millions draw. Casino games such as slots and blackjack would also be permitted, while allowing the Delaware Lottery to operate the sports lottery at venues other than the video lottery agents, such as bars or convenience stores.

According to DFM News, a local news source in the First State, HB 333’s chief sponsor Representative John Viola told the committee: “Online gaming is coming.  It’s coming across this country. We need to decide if we’re on board or not.  Do we want to regulate it, or don’t want to regulate it.”

Delaware Governor Jack Markell first announced his interest in regulating online gaming in March, stating that the expansion of gambling would help casinos by eliminating the US$4m in slot machine fees paid by the existing casinos and cut their table game fees from $6.75m to $3m.

A similar bill was introduced in Illinois earlier this week. Senator Cullerton’s bill HB 4148 proposes the creation of a new Division of Internet Gaming in the Illinois Lottery which would be authorised to offer internet wagering on its gaming platform.