Sports Gambling in Delaware a Prelude to US Legalization?

Delaware first began seriously considering reeatblishing sports betting when Maryland voted to install race track slots, eliminating Delaware's competitive advantage.

It seems more and more likely that the state legislature of Delaware will exploit its grandfathered clause and opt to bring sports gambling back to the state. But the residual effects caused by Delaware's decision may lead to a wave of demand that the federal government withdraw laws against sports gambling and allow all fifty states the right to decide on the issue.

As one of four states that had hosted legal sports gambling before the US Congress passed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 1993, Delaware retains the right to renew sports gambling programs. Montana and Oregon both also have dormant rights to sports wagering, while Nevada allows sportsbooks to take plays freely.

But the Delaware move may just be the latest in a series of toppling gambling dominoes, as each state vies to compete with its neighbors. Delaware first began seriously considering reestablishing sports betting when Maryland voted to install race track slots, eliminating Delaware's competitive advantage.

Now Maryland politicians are making noise that their state should have the same rights to draw gambling revenues as Delaware, and are considering asking Congress to open the sports gambling sector to all states. Other states are sure to also want a shot at building new gambling revenue streams, as the alternative in most places is an unpleasant increase in taxes.

US sports leagues have resisted the call for legalized sports gambling, but only a fool would insist that sports wagering does not take place virtually everywhere in the US. The only effect keeping it illegal has is to prevent the collection of taxes and to leave participants and fans unprotected from corrupting influences.

While USA Today reports that pressure applied by sports leagues awarding team franchises and the hosting of major events has deterred states like Oregon from participating in legal sports gambling, once states across the US establish legalized wagering on sports, those organizations will be forced to deal with reality.