Delaware moves toward table games

[dennis63]

Delaware lawmakers have recommended approval of casino table games -- including poker, blackjack, roulette and craps -- in the tiny state's three legal casinos.

A June 13 article in the New Journal newspaper reports the legislative committee overseeing gambling in the First State gave the green light to table games. Until now, the casinos at Dover Downs Raceway, Delaware Park and Harrington Raceway featured slot parlors and limited computerized gaming.

Poker rooms could be operational by January, 2010, with the other traditional casino tables opening in March. The state already has three licensed poker rooms, where players pay a seat fee to compete against one another. A portion of the seat fee goes to a different charity each day, with the remainder going to the state and the hall operator.

Delaware is the only U.S. state where a balanced budget is a Constitutional requirement. Strapped for cash and facing a large deficit, state officials are hoping new tax revenues from gaming will replace lost corporate tax revenues -- once the state's largest revenue source.

Delaware's governor recently signed legislation permitting sports betting, prompting threats of a lawsuit by the National Football Leauge. NFL officials claimed sports betting could corrupt players. The threats were withrawn after Delaware granted the NFL the right to use NFL logos on state lottery "scratch-off" tickets.

In May, Delaware's Supreme Court issued an opinion on various forms of gaming, finding that games which included an element of skill were legal in the First State. The Delaware Technical and Community College (Del Tech) announced it will offer classes to train dealers in the Fall.

Delaware hopes to join in the growing competition for East Coast players against Atlantic City's casinos. In the past year, new casinos have been proposed, approved or open in Philadelphia, Chester and Bethlehem, PA.

It remains to be seen if Atlantic City's large traditional casino hotel operatos will venture into Delaware, or if new gaming tax revenues will improve the lives of Delawareans. The state is known for low wages, high unemployment and the nation's highest per-capita rate of both drug addiction and cancer.

[heyitscorey]

Nice, another step in a grand scheme

[MeridianFC]

I spend a fair amount of time in DE, so this could be nice.

[schullerjason]

Soon the tables in Charles Towne, WV will be soon to follow, and sadly, the end of my marriage will begin.

[Krafticus]

Originally Posted by schullerjason

Hopefully the tables in Charles Towne, WV will be soon to follow, and the end of my marriage will begin.

I second that. Of course, then I could get a part time job as a dealer too

Mark

[schullerjason]

I think they're voting on it this month. Again, but THIS time (supposedly) all the horse trainers are behind it which should help it pass, as they will get a piece of the action

[Lottery Larry]

Originally Posted by schullerjason

I think they're voting on it this month. Again, but THIS time (supposedly) all the horse trainers are behind it which should help it pass, as they will get a piece of the action

I thought they already HAD some charity poker rooms? One near Wilmington, where some of my players have played, recently started NL (albeit with a $150 buy-in cap per half day).

?

[Lottery Larry]

Originally Posted by schullerjason

Soon the tables in Charles Towne, WV will be soon to follow, and sadly, the end of my marriage will begin.

The SMART man would teach his wife how to play, show some self-control, and develop a hobby to share!

Just keep the stakes low and the results private between you two.