Delaware Lawmakers Legalize Table Game Gambling At Casinos

Delaware may be a small state, but it is certainly making a big statement when it comes to gambling in the Northeast. This week, Delaware took another step towards becoming a major player in the gambling industry when lawmakers legalized table games at state casinos.

The Senate passed the law on Thursday, and Governor Jack Markell took little time on signing the approved legislation into law. It is the second major gambling expansion for Delaware in the past year.

Last year, Delaware lawmakers legalized sports betting in the state. The state attempted to allow single game bets, but a successful lawsuit by the NFL and other sports leagues kept Delaware from offering the single game bets. Now, only parlay bets are permitted.

The table game expansion comes at a time when New York and Pennsylvania are also expanding their gambling options. Pennsylvania lawmakers recently legalized table games, and New York awarded the rights to an Aqueduct casino this week.

All of the expansion in the Northeast comes at a time when the Atlantic City casino industry, which was once supreme in the area, is struggling mightily. In December of 2009, for the first time ever, Pennsylvania casinos had higher slot revenue than those in New Jersey casinos.

That trend is expected only to continue as Pennsylvania casinos add table games later this year. The Delaware table games are expected to be up and running sometime this summer. Analysts predict that, combined, Delaware and Pennsylvania table games could take away up to fifteen percent of the current revenue being generated at Atlantic City casinos.

January 30, 2010
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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