BetRivers, Three Online Casinos, Now Fully Live in Delaware

Dec 5, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Delaware Blue Hens guard Christian Ray (5) reacts after a play against the Xavier Musketeers in the second half at Cintas Center. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY SportsAfter a soft launch last week, BetRivers is now fully available in DelawareThe Delaware Lottery also relaunched three online casinosThe online casinos and sportsbook is powered by Rush Street Interactive

The First State now has a fully functional online sportsbook and three online casinos.

After soft launching on Dec. 27, Rush Street Interactive announced BetRivers is now fully live in Delaware. The Delaware Lottery and Rush Street Interactive agreed to an exclusive five-year contract in August 2023 for the company to be the state’s exclusive online gaming operator.

In addition to BetRivers fully launching, the Delaware Lottery also announced the relaunch of its three online casinos, Delaware Park, Bally’s Dover Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

BetRivers, Online Casinos Now Live

Rush Street Interactive was selected by the Delaware State Lottery as the lone vendor for the state’s online gaming business in 2023. The contract was for an initial term of five years, renewable for additional one-year terms for an additional five years pending regulatory approvals. The operator was awarded the contract through a public RFP process.

The company replaced 888 as the state’s sole vendor.

“We are thrilled to begin this historic and much-anticipated launch of the new online sportsbook and casino with the Delaware Lottery and bring our award-winning product to Delaware,” said Richard Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of RSI, in a press release. “With our extensive offering of gaming content, wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods, real-time cash-out approvals, and best-in-class customer service, Delaware customers are going to love the convenience of wagering on their favorite sports, slots, and table games from anywhere in the state.”

BetRivers soft-launched in the state last week with little to no fanfare. A BetRivers representative confirmed to Sports Betting Dime on Thursday, Dec. 28, that the operator had launched in the state.

So with little to no fanfare, @BetRivers online sportsbook launched in Delaware yesterday and is now live. @RSInteractive_ has an exclusive contract with the Delaware Lottery to offer online sports betting and igaming in the state.

— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) December 28, 2023

The Delaware Park and Harrington Casino & Raceway sites are accessible through the BetRivers’ multi-state app and website while Bally’s Dover Casino offers it own standalone app and website, according to the lottery.

“RSI’s successes in other jurisdictions, including neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, are impressive, along with the company’s overall reputation and experience,” said Helene Keeley, Director of the Delaware Lottery, in a press release. “RSI’s commitment to responsible gaming, quality products, breadth of gaming content and customer service are key reasons we are so excited to partner with them.”

Will Delaware Expand Gaming in 2024?

Members of the Internet Sports Lottery Legislative Working Group recently submitted a report to the Delaware legislature with a recommendation to expand online sports betting in The First State.

Members of the Internet Sports Lottery Legislative Working Group pointed to the online sports betting models of neighboring states such as Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey as potential approached Delaware could consider. All three states feature online sports betting with multiple online sports betting operators that could provide Delaware with a “more competitive and economically thriving sports wagering market.”

The group was created through House Resolution 6 with an initial deadline of June 2023 to submit their report. After the group delayed their recommendations, the Delaware Lottery reached an agreement with Rush Street Interactive in August to be its sole online and retail sports betting operator.

Within its final recommendations, the group recommended that Delaware expand its online sports betting to include multiple operators, which would contradict with the lottery’s current contract with RSI.