Vote in the legislature could come as early as this Thursday.
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/...0513/NEWS/80513074&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/...0513/NEWS/80513074&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL
http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7014397599
Report: Delaware Taking Steps To Legalize Sports Gambling
March 13, 2009 6:35 a.m. EST
AHN Sports Staff
Dover, DE (AHN) - After failing in its bid towards supports sports gambling nearly 33 years ago, the state of Delaware is at it again as a major media outlet reported Thursday that Gov. Jack Markell is on the move behind legalizing the act.
According to ESPN The Magazine, the state governor is introducing a plan that would allow Delaware to have a statewide sports lottery. Markell's proposal would include only parlay bets, The Magazine said.
In 1976, Delaware entertained the idea of promoting sports gambling but was muffed during the NFL season. Since then, only three states-Nevada, Montana and Oregon-have had past histories of engaging in such activities.
All four states are exempted from the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal law that prohibits states from entering into the bookmaking business. Recently, however, Oregon has closed down its sports lottery system.
Markell's move has prompted New Jersey state Sen. Ray Lensiak to question the legality of the 1992 Act, saying it is "a discrimination against the rest of the states," according to The Magazine. The article further reported that the legislator will file a lawsuit against the ban.
One strong factor in the state's move towards legalizing sports gambling is its $700-million budget shortage. If approved, the proposal should trigger some $50-$100 million in revenues, Markell told The Magazine.
If the state legislature passes the plan, sports gambling could be in full swing as early as April.
That would be within a few months of the regular season of the NFL, which has maintained a hard stance in opposing any sports lottery involving its games.
Report: Delaware Taking Steps To Legalize Sports Gambling
March 13, 2009 6:35 a.m. EST
AHN Sports Staff
Dover, DE (AHN) - After failing in its bid towards supports sports gambling nearly 33 years ago, the state of Delaware is at it again as a major media outlet reported Thursday that Gov. Jack Markell is on the move behind legalizing the act.
According to ESPN The Magazine, the state governor is introducing a plan that would allow Delaware to have a statewide sports lottery. Markell's proposal would include only parlay bets, The Magazine said.
In 1976, Delaware entertained the idea of promoting sports gambling but was muffed during the NFL season. Since then, only three states-Nevada, Montana and Oregon-have had past histories of engaging in such activities.
All four states are exempted from the 1992 Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a federal law that prohibits states from entering into the bookmaking business. Recently, however, Oregon has closed down its sports lottery system.
Markell's move has prompted New Jersey state Sen. Ray Lensiak to question the legality of the 1992 Act, saying it is "a discrimination against the rest of the states," according to The Magazine. The article further reported that the legislator will file a lawsuit against the ban.
One strong factor in the state's move towards legalizing sports gambling is its $700-million budget shortage. If approved, the proposal should trigger some $50-$100 million in revenues, Markell told The Magazine.
If the state legislature passes the plan, sports gambling could be in full swing as early as April.
That would be within a few months of the regular season of the NFL, which has maintained a hard stance in opposing any sports lottery involving its games.
