Delaware Horse Racing Betting
Delaware has plenty to offer for those who are interested in legal wagering. That includes horse racing players, who will find that there are plenty of different ways they can get in on the Delaware horse racing betting action in the First State.
Delaware has three fully operational race tracks, each of which has full simulcasting capabilities and offer off-track betting. For those who would prefer to place their horse racing wagers online, Delaware is serviced by several of the largest operators in the industry.
Legal Horse Racing Betting Sites in Delaware
Online Horse Racing Betting in Delaware
It’s completely legal to bet on horse racing online in the state of Delaware. The Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission maintains a presence online via the Department of Agriculture website.
The Commission’s main objectives are to eliminate fraudulent activity that would undermine the public trust, bringing violators of commission rules, regulations and Delaware law to justice; to protect, preserve and promote agriculture and horse racing by preventing and eliminating corrupt practices; ensure fairness in licensing and patron decisions; and ensure that the state and betting public receive fair percentages of the wagering dollar by overseeing audits.
Specific rules and regulations on pari-mutuel wagering can be found via a clickable link which is labeled ‘commission rules.’ That will take you to a new page which is labeled ‘1001 Thoroughbred Racing Rules and Regulations.’ Section 16.0 covers the details on pari-mutuel wagering.
16.1 Place of Conducting Pari-Mutuel Betting: Any person or entity holding a license therefore issued by the Commission may make, conduct and sell pools by the use of pari-mutuel machines or totalizators for the purpose of receiving wagers or bets on horse races within the enclosure of any racing meet licensed and conducted under these Rules, but not elsewhere.
Additionally, there is also a Harness Racing Commission which oversees that side of the industry in Delaware. Full information and additional details and regulations can be found via its webpage on the Department of Agriculture site.
The Delaware Department of Agriculture Harness Racing Commission regulates and oversees the sport of Harness racing in the state.
Its primary objectives and principles are to protect, preserve, and promote agriculture and horse racing through effective and efficient efforts to prevent and eliminate corrupt practices; ensure fairness in decisions affecting licensees and patrons; ensure due process in administrative proceedings; be attentive to the public and licensees and provide information concerning the industry and commission operations.
The commission is also responsible for ensuring that the state and the betting public receive their fair percentages of the wagering dollar by overseeing periodic accounting audits.
Licensed Delaware Racetracks
There are three operating race tracks in Delaware, one for thoroughbreds and two for harness racing. Here are the locations and information on each of the venues.
Delaware Park Racetrack & Slots
777 Delaware Park Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19804
Delaware Park first opened its doors in 1937. Today, it’s also a casino with a golf course located on site. Thoroughbreds are the main attraction, but Delaware Park also hosts Arabian racing.
1131 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
The Dover Downs racetrack opened in 1969. Expansion would bring a casino to the property in 1995. The harness racing track at the complex is surrounded by Dover International Speedway.
15 West Rider Road
Harrington, DE 19952
The racetrack portion of the facility opened in 1946 with the casino coming decades later in 1996. Previously known as Midway Slots at Harrington Raceway, table games were added in 2010.
Off-Track Betting in Delaware
There are no facilities in Delaware which are exclusively dedicated to off-track betting. However, each of the state’s licensed race tracks has full simulcasting capabilities.
Delaware Park Racetrack & Slots
777 Delaware Park Boulevard
Wilmington, DE 19804
The simulcast facility at Delaware Park is open daily from 11 am to 11 pm, with the exception of Christmas Day.
1131 North DuPont Highway
Dover, DE 19901
Dover Downs has complete simulcasting capabilities on site and features action from major harness and thoroughbred tracks across the nation.
15 West Rider Road
Harrington, DE 19952
Harrington also offers simulcasting for both harness and thoroughbred races. The venue maintains a full daily schedule which can be accessed online.
Delaware Horse Racing Betting Laws
Betting on horse racing is legal in Delaware. Wagers can be placed in-person at one of the state’s three operating race tracks, all of which also provide simulcasting. Online betting is permitted as well. Specific details can be found online under section 10060 of Title 3 of the Harness Racing code.
(a) On interstate simulcasts of races that a person licensed under this chapter transmits or receives, the licensee may combine wagers made at the licensee’s track with wagers of the same type made at out-of-state facilities where wagering is lawful.
(b) The purpose of this section is to allow the creation of common pari-mutuel pools for calculating odds and determining payouts.
(c) The wagers made at out-of-state facilities may not be considered part of the licensee’s pari-mutuel pools for any purpose other than the purpose specified under subsection (b) of this section.
Major Horse Racing Events in Delaware
The summer calendar is busy at Delaware Park, and the schedule includes a pair of major races.
Delaware Handicap: Held annually in July at Delaware Park, this is a 10-furlong Grade II race for fillies three-years-old and older.
Delaware Oaks: Also held in July at Delaware Park, this is Grade III race run over 8.5 furlongs for three-year-old fillies.