Delaware Supremes Ignore NFL, Approve Sports Betting

The Supreme Court of Delaware yesterday unanimously said the state was within its rights to institute its new sports betting lottery.

The Delaware Supreme Court ruled yesterday that Governor Jack Markell's sports betting program is legal under the state constitution. Despite argument from attorneys representing the National Football League, the five justices decided unanimously that the sports gambling bill qualified under lottery restrictions.

The crux of the NFL position lies with the specious reasoning that because games are decided by skill, betting on games also is predominantly skill. Delaware's lottery law requires games featured to be predominantly chance.

But the court said an element of skill is acceptable as long as chance is the major component. NFL lawyers have also failed to prove that any skill in picking game winners exists in a point-spread system, which reduces games to coin flip propositions.

"We do not believe that promoting additional betting on college and professional athletes and games is healthy for sports,’’ said an NFL statement, adding a lawsuit may be forthcoming.

“This decision resolves the legal issues that have been presented and provides a solid legal framework for our sports lottery. With this guidance in hand, we are moving forward with implementing a successful sports lottery in Delaware,” said a statement released by the governor after the court's ruling was announced.