Delaware Sports Betting Plans Suffer Setback
Yesterday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia all but ended the quest of Governor Jack Markell and the State of Delaware to bring Sports betting to Delaware Racinos.
Instead of ruling on the emergency injunction requested by the Professional Sports Leagues, the Third Circuit panel decided to judge the case on its merits, directly addressing whether the law Delaware passed in May to allow sports betting violated a federal statute on sports betting. The decision was unanimous; Delaware’s plans violated federal law.
Listen to the oral arguments presented to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on the case:
09-3297 OFCommBaseballv.Markell.wma 8/24/2009
09-3297OFCCommBaseballvMarkell.wma 8/24/2009
There may still be bets placed on Pro Football games in Delaware Racinos come September. According to the ruling, the State still has the legal authority to offer a sports lottery of parlays. A parlay bet is betting on the outcome of two or more events, and getting higher odds than betting on the outcome of both events. The better must win of the events to win the parlay.
You can read Gov. Jack Markell statement here.