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Delaware holds a unique position as one of the first states to embrace comprehensive online gambling, having legalized internet gaming in 2012. The state’s gaming market includes three racetrack casinos (Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover Resort & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino), a state lottery, video lottery terminals, table games, and both retail and online sports betting.
In 2022, Delaware joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Compact with Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia, enabling cross-state online poker.
The Delaware Lottery, operating under the Department of Finance, regulates all gaming activities in the state. This centralized oversight structure ensures consistent responsible gambling standards across video lottery, table games, internet gaming, and sports betting operations.
Delaware invests significantly in problem gambling prevention and treatment, allocating over $1.8 million annually from gaming revenues to support programs through the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. The state’s responsible gambling framework emphasizes player self-determination while providing robust support systems for individuals and families affected by problem gambling.
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Download nowRequirement Category | Key Obligations |
Player Protection | State-mandated self-exclusion program with 1-year, 5-year, or lifetime options; in-person enrollment required at Delaware Lottery office; self-exclusion covers land-based gaming, internet gaming, and sports betting; violators face Class A misdemeanor charges and forfeiture of winnings. |
Marketing & Advertising | All advertising must receive Delaware State Lottery approval; prohibition on marketing gambling to children through apps, websites, or services directed to minors; sports lottery advertising must not reflect adversely on the agency or contain misleading information. |
On-Property Requirements | Lottery director determines regulations for display of responsible gaming messages and training for identification of compulsive gamblers; "Play Responsibly" message and helpline number displayed on all lottery advertisements, promotions, VLTs, and retailer terminals. |
Credit & Financial Controls | Credit extension permitted to racetrack casino patrons in a commercially reasonable manner; cashless gaming permitted; cryptocurrency not accepted. |
Staff Obligations | Training procedures established for identification of and assistance to compulsive gamblers; regulations determined by lottery director. |
Operational Restrictions | No complimentary alcoholic beverages offered to those gaming at racetrack casinos; 21+ age requirement to enter gaming floor; smoking prohibited in all indoor facilities under Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act. |
Financial Contributions | Minimum $1 million or 1% of VLT proceeds (whichever is greater) annually for problem gambling treatment, education, and assistance; minimum $250,000 or 1% of table game revenue (whichever is greater) for responsible gaming programs. |
Regulatory Oversight | Delaware Lottery (Department of Finance) supervises all gaming; Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement handles criminal enforcement at licensed facilities; independent laboratory testing required for all gaming equipment. |
Delaware’s centralized lottery-based regulatory structure creates a unified approach to responsible gambling across all gaming formats. The state’s early adoption of internet gaming and continued innovation in player protection reflects its commitment to balancing gaming expansion with robust consumer safeguards.
Delaware operates a state-mandated self-exclusion program allowing individuals with gambling problems to voluntarily exclude themselves from all gaming activities at the state’s three licensed video lottery agents and their internet gaming platforms. The program covers Delaware Park Casino, Bally’s Dover Resort & Casino, Harrington Raceway & Casino, all associated iGaming websites, Delaware Lottery’s iGaming/Sports Mobile app, and sports lottery operations.
Self-exclusion in Delaware requires in-person enrollment, distinguishing it from states that permit remote registration. Individuals must contact Delaware Lottery office at (302) 744-1669 for information, obtain an application form, submit the completed form in person at Delaware Lottery office, provide valid government-issued photo identification, and have a photograph taken for distribution to video lottery facilities.
Delaware Lottery office is located at 1575 McKee Road, Suite 102, Dover, DE 19904-1903. Office hours for self-exclusion appointments are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (excluding state holidays). Walk-ins are accommodated when possible, but appointments are recommended to ensure immediate assistance.
Individuals may choose from three exclusion timeframes: one-year minimum (participant must remain on the list for at least one year before requesting removal), five-year minimum (participant must remain on the list for at least five years before requesting removal), or lifetime exclusion (permanent and irrevocable; individuals who select lifetime exclusion cannot be removed from the list under any circumstances).
Delaware enforces self-exclusion through criminal penalties. Any person on the self-exclusion list who knowingly enters a gaming area commits a Class A misdemeanor under Delaware law. Self-excluded individuals cannot collect any winnings, cannot recover any losses, and all winnings are subject to forfeiture. They also cannot collect complimentary goods or services, have no credit or check-cashing privileges, and cannot receive or activate free play offers.
Delaware mandates specific minimum contributions from gaming revenues to support problem gambling treatment, education, and assistance programs. For video lottery terminal proceeds, $1 million or 1 percent of electronic gaming machine proceeds (whichever amount is greater) must be directed to the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health. For table game revenue, $250,000 or 1 percent of table game revenue retained by the state (whichever amount is greater) must be allocated to responsible gaming programs.
In fiscal year 2023, the Delaware Lottery contributed over $1.8 million to fund problem gambling programs. This investment significantly exceeds the statutory minimums, demonstrating Delaware’s commitment to addressing problem gambling beyond basic compliance.
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Download nowThe Delaware Council on Gambling Problems (DCGP) operates as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) health agency, founded in 1979 with the mission of providing programs and services for problem gamblers and their families. The organization operates a 24/7 helpline at 1-888-850-8888 (www.deproblemgambling.org), providing free, professional advice and assistance around the clock, seven days a week. Counselors provide confidential support without judgment.
The Delaware State Lottery, operating as a division of the Department of Finance, serves as the primary regulatory body for all gaming activities in the state. The lottery director is appointed by the secretary of finance with written approval from the governor. The lottery has regulatory authority over video lottery terminals, internet gaming, table games, sports betting, and state lottery operations. This centralized structure under the lottery creates unified oversight that would typically be divided among multiple agencies in other states.
Operating under the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, the Division of Gaming Enforcement holds exclusive jurisdiction over gaming-related criminal offenses within licensed video lottery facilities and Delaware Lottery operations. Key responsibilities include conducting background investigations of license applicants, ensuring only qualified individuals and entities participate in gaming operations, criminal enforcement at licensed facilities, involuntary exclusion list management, and investigation of gaming-related crimes.
Delaware’s responsible gambling regulations reflect the state’s pioneering role in expanding legal gaming while maintaining strong player protections. The centralized oversight structure under the Delaware Lottery creates unified standards across land-based and internet gaming platforms. Key strengths include comprehensive self-exclusion covering all gaming formats with enforceable penalties, substantial funding commitment exceeding $1.8 million annually, integrated marketing standards ensuring consistent responsible gaming messaging, unified regulatory structure creating policy consistency, and multi-state cooperation through participation in the Multi-State Internet Gaming Compact. Delaware continues to evolve its responsible gambling framework as gaming technology advances and research identifies emerging best practices.
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