Delaware Online Poker
Online poker is no longer available in Delaware. However, BetRivers Poker is in development and may launch in Delaware by the end of 2024.
Delaware was the first state in the nation to legalize online poker, passing the requisite legislation in June 2012. Three Delaware poker sites operated for ten years but closed near the end of 2023.
21+ to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-888-850-8888 or visit DEProblemGambling.org. All games are lottery games controlled by the Delaware Lottery.
Previously, the Delaware online poker market functioned as a partnership between the state lottery and international online gambling operator 888 Holdings. The contract expired in December 2023, and the Delaware Lottery replaced 888 with Rush Street Interactive as its online gambling partner.
The new partnership enabled online sports betting in Delaware, but it came at the cost of losing online poker. However, Rush Street Interactive, the parent company of BetRivers, has indicated it plans to launch an online poker platform in several states within the next few months.
Will Online Poker Return to Delaware?
Legal online poker will likely return to Delaware by late 2024.
Rush Street Interactive is preparing to launch BetRivers Poker in several states later this year, more than two years after acquiring Phil Galfond’s Run It Once poker platform in early 2022.
Although Rush Street Interactive hasn’t provided exact launch dates or even which states it will target first, there’s a high likelihood Delaware will be among its first launches for several reasons:
- Rush Street Gaming already has most of the authorizations it needs to offer online poker in Delaware
- Delaware is a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), so BetRivers Poker can pool its Delaware customers with players in other MSIGA states
- BetRivers Poker would be the state’s sole authorized online poker operator
Delaware Poker Sites
Delaware law grants a monopoly over online poker to the state’s three lottery-owned casinos. International gaming giant 888 Holdings (now Evoke plc) operated three Delaware online poker sites on behalf of Delaware’s casinos for about a decade.
All three DE poker sites operated on the same network and shared tables. Each used software developed by 888Poker in a joint venture between 888 Holdings, Scientific Games Corporation, and Williams Interactive LLC. Their only real differences were their poker deposit bonuses, promotions, and cosmetic styling.
However, the three Delaware poker sites closed in December 2023 after the Delaware Lottery partnered with Rush Street Interactive instead of renewing its contract with 888 Holdings.
Rush Street Interactive plans to restart the Delaware online poker market when it launches BetRivers Poker, which should be a significant improvement for players. 888 Holding’s three Delaware poker sites were visibly dated from the day they launched, and things didn’t seem to be getting any better.
In contrast, BetRivers Poker appears well-positioned to launch one of the nation’s strongest online poker platforms. Before its acquisition, Run It Once Poker constantly received praise for its high quality software, loyalty rewards, and unique game formats. Now that Rush Street has poured another two years’ worth development into Run It Once’s software, BetRivers Poker has given poker players in Delaware something to look forward to.
Delaware Shared Poker Tables
With a population of just under 1 million, Delaware is the smallest poker market in the nation. Delaware online poker would be non-viable on its own, but fortunately for players, it is a member of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA).
As a member of MSIGA, Delaware poker sites may share player pools with states like Nevada, Michigan, and New Jersey to boost the player pool across all member states. As a result, Delaware players will benefit from busier tables, better cash games, and bigger tournaments when online poker returns.
Poker Games in Delaware
When they were active, Delaware’s three poker sites hosted cash games and tournaments 24 hours a day.
Cash game traffic varied based on the time of day and stakes. Players could find a fair amount of traffic around the clock at the micro-stakes on up to about $1/$2, but traffic at the mid and higher-stakes cash games was sporadic.
Tournaments ran 24/7 as well, but the biggest events and most traffic occurred during East Coast evening hours.
No-Limit Hold’em was the most popular online poker format in Delaware, with Pot-Limit Omaha securing the number two position. Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo (8 or better) tables also ran occasionally.
Delaware poker sites also hosted sit-n-go tournaments (SNGs), with lottery-style BLAST SNGs accounting for most of the action. Four-player BLAST SNGs run like standard sit-n-go tournaments, except players compete for random prize pools ranging from 2x to 10,000x the buyin.
List of Delaware Poker Rooms
Delaware had three live poker rooms in the past, but two have since closed. Delaware Park operates the state’s only live poker room today.
- Delaware Park Poker Room: The Delaware Park poker room can fit up to 25 tables, although players should expect closer to 3-5 tables on a typical evening. The poker room is open daily from 11 AM to 3 AM.
- Bally’s Dover Poker Room (Closed): Bally’s Corporation purchased and rebranded Dover Downs in late 2021 but closed the former 18-table Crown Royal poker room.
- Harrington Raceway Poker Room (closed): The poker room at Harrington Raceway hosted ten tables with daily cash games and regular tournaments, but it closed during COVID-19 and never reopened.
Delaware Online Poker Deposits
It’s safe to guess BetRivers Poker will offer a standard array of deposit methods when it launches in Delaware.
Poker players will be able to fund their accounts from anywhere, but geolocation technology ensures players can only participate in real money games when physically located within state lines.
Under state law, DE poker sites must verify the age and identity of every customer. Delaware also requires poker sites to collect personal information from every new customer to verify their ages and identities.
BetRivers accepts the following deposit methods for its Delaware online casino, so players will likely have similar options when online poker returns:
Delaware Online Poker History
It’s fitting that “The First State” was the first state to legalize online poker.
Delaware lawmakers legalized online poker and gambling by introducing HB 333 in May 2012. Governor Jack Markell signed the bill into law on June 29th, 2012, to make Delaware the first state in the US to pass legislation legalizing online poker.
The first Delaware online casinos launched in late October 2013, and online poker followed that November.
At first, Delaware poker sites struggled with low traffic due to the state’s small population. However, Delaware reached an important milestone in February 2014 when the governors of Delaware and Nevada signed an agreement to share player pools across state lines. Interstate poker between Delaware and Nevada commenced just over a year later.
New Jersey joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) in 2017, and the three states have shared player pools since. West Virginia and Michigan have also joined MSIGA since.
888 Holdings held a monopoly over online poker in Delaware for a decade, but its contract with the state lottery expired in 2023. During that time, 888 Holdings displayed no interest in innovating, and Delaware’s poker sites remained extremely outdated.
In late 2023, the Delaware Lottery established a new contract with Rush Street Gaming to launch BetRivers Online Sportsbook and Casino. Although Rush Street Interactive does not yet offer online poker, it is reportedly close to launching BetRivers Poker in Delaware and other states.
Delaware Poker FAQ
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