I spent the past two days at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, where the top brass in the legal sports betting industry were all present for the East Coast Gaming Congress.

The annual event is a meeting of the minds for all forms of gaming, from slots to casino hospitality, most of which doesn’t interest me even a little bit. But this year the focus was almost exclusively on sports gambling. It’s perhaps only a coincidence that Monmouth Park and the Borgata, a 17-minute walk from Harrah’s (speaking from experience), started taking bets during day two of the conference, just hours before Governor Phil Murphy addressed attendees.

Why did I go? Two reasons, to be honest:

1. To learn about where the industry is headed and pass along those findings to you, specifically because Philly is at the epicenter of the shift toward legal sports betting since Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware will likely be the first three states to allow it following the Supreme Court’s ruling last month.
2. Business interests, Holmes.

Right now, things are confusing to consumers and would-be bettors. When can I bet? How? Where? And beyond that, just have pervasive and what forms will sports betting take in the US?

I’m here to summarize the event and answer your questions. Continue Reading

Delaware has always been ahead of the game. It was, of course, the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787. Fast forward 231 years and it will become next week the first new state to offer legalized sports betting after the Supreme Court’s decision last month clearing individual states to offer wide-ranging sports wagering options.

Ironically, I have always heard that it is absolutely delightful in Delaware this time of year. I think I’ll make a visit on Tuesday at 1:30 pm, which just so happens to when the state’s books will go live.

“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation, and we look forward to next week’s launch,” Delaware Governor John Carney said in a press release issued yesterday. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”

A new state marketing campaign in the works? I think so!

Come for the Christiana Mall, stay to satisfy your legal compulsive gambling habits. #Delaware

SportsPick, the product that will operate the state’s betting action, will be available at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, Delaware Park, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

And what this does is offer the average bettor options. You can head to one of these locations and do it the clean way. No more visiting a guy named Rocco behind a 7-11 to hand off an envelope stuffed with your hard-earned money, misery, and regret. Just give it to the state instead. Think of it as a “fun tax.” Just know, however, that any winnings over $600 are considered reportable winnings. Also know that winnings over $5000 requires federal tax withholdings of 24%.

The Delaware Lottery has published a comprehensive guide designed to answer questions about betting terms, procedures, rules, and regulations, but may I suggest you start with try the Crossing Broad sports betting FAQ instead.