Leagues' suit is moot, Delaware judge says

By CRIS BARRISH
The News Journal

Following a federal appeals court order that limits Delaware’s sports betting plans to multigame wagers on pro football, Delaware’s chief federal judge has closed a lawsuit brought by America’s sports leagues against the state.

The two-paragraph order by Gregory M. Sleet of U.S. District Court, issued late Monday, noted the opinion of the appeals court and dismissed the lawsuit that charged that Delaware’s plans violated federal law.

Delaware had sought to expand gambling beyond the National Football League parlay bets it briefly offered in 1976 under an exemption to a 1992 federal ban on sports betting. Specifically, the state wanted to offer single-game bets and wagers on college and other pro sports.

A three-judge panel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Philadelphia ruled, however, that Delaware could not expand and that no lower court trial was needed.

Gov. Jack Markell’s office said today it has 14 days to appeal to the full 12-judge appeals court, and was reviewing its options.

Delaware’s racetrack casinos are permitted to offer bets on a minimum of three NFL games using a point spread -- the amount by which one team is favored to win.

Delaware Park and Dover Downs said they will open their sports books on Sept. 10 -- opening night for the NFL. Harrington Raceway’s Midway Slots has not publicly revealed its plans.
Reply With Quote