Update: Delaware Senate Approves Sports Betting Bill

5/12/2009 by Gaming Industry Media Staff

After quick approval by the Delaware state senate on Tuesday, the revised version of a sports betting bill is headed to the state's governor for final approval, according to USA Today.

After quick approval by the Delaware state senate on Tuesday, the revised version of a sports betting bill is headed to the state's governor for final approval, according to USA Today.

The newspaper said Jack Markell, Delaware's governor, had wanted the senate to quickly pass the measure since the state is estimating a $778 million budget deficit.

"If we don't have this to generate revenue, we're going to need cut more services," Mr. Markell told the newspaper.

ESPN.com said the new bill adds a racino element to assist the state's three racecourses. The amended bill would allow racetracks to eventually host table games and gain a bigger share of sports betting revenues.

According to the news site, sports leagues and the NCAA are against the sports betting bill.

This bill follows a growing interest in legalizing sports betting in the United States to raise money due to recession woes.

Below is a video from ESPN.com about the Delaware bill.