Many state officials in the United States are creating legislation that concerns gambling. Officials are either for or against some form of gambling and state officials in the state of Delaware are trying to legalize sports betting.

Representative Peter Schwartzkopf filed legislation recently that if passed would lead to sports betting options in Delaware. The Governor, Jack Markell, recommended a proposal last week that would balance the state budget and Schwartzkopf’s bill is in line with the recommendation.

Markell wants sports betting to be available in other areas not just at Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway, the state’s casinos. Schwartzkopf’s bill, the HB 100, would create a commission to be responsible for giving out ten proposed licenses for sports betting.

The President Pro Tempore of the State Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the State Senate, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Director of the Delaware economic Development Office, Secretary of Finance and the Governor would all have a say in who would be appointed to the commission.

However officials of professional’s sports leagues do not want sports betting legalized in Delaware and have fought against it for many years. We will have to wait and see if the bill passes to finally know if sports betting will become legal in the state.





- 2009-03-27