Delaware could reap benefits of recently lifted sports betting ban

It was a historic day on Monday as the United States Supreme Court legalized sports gambling after removing a federal law that prohibited most states from authorizing sports betting. In Delaware the lifted ban could mean huge economic benefits for the Delmarva region.

"With all the casinos coming now they're really starting to drain everything from Delaware so any advantage we can have it think it'd be great," said Dover resident Robert West.

In the first state sports betting is currently limited to parlay bets where people can bet on multiple football games that are tied to one another, but the new ruling could mean a big pay day.  

"I think it would flourish the whole economy here and since they already have sports betting here I think the people already have a foot in the door and this would just make it better for everybody," said Felton resident Mark Salerno.

"We'll be able to have that straight betting which is much more easily understood by folks that want to bet. And I agree that it's going to be a much greater draw for folks," said Delaware senator Colin Bonini.

 As for Maryland, officials say that even though the Supreme Court ruled in favor of sports betting the state won't be seeing that type of betting for a while. Meanwhile in Delaware, officials say full betting could be up and running before kickoff for the NFL's regular season. 

"My guess is we will be ramping up the full sports betting as soon as we can I have not talked to the casinos but I'd be surprised if they don't that ," said Bonini.

Something those we spoke to say they can't wait for.

"There's a lot of sports fans in Delaware and as long as it's controlled and you can handle the betting I think it's great," said West.

Delaware Governor John Carney adds that he believes Delaware likely already has all the necessary laws and regulations in place to implement full-scale sports betting under the direction of the Delaware Lottery.