Delaware sets sports bet options
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
By: Tom Byrne
tbyrne@whyy.org
Delaware's latest foray into sports betting is legally limited to parlay bets on NFL games, but state officials are trying to offer as many options as possible within that framework.
When Delaware officially starts taking bets Thursday ahead of the NFL's season opener between Pittsburgh and Tennessee Thursday night, bettors will find three styles of parlay bets available.
The first is a basic parlay bet in which bettors will have to correctly pick a minimum of three and up 12 games against the point spread to win. The lines will all include a half point to insure there is a winning side. This style of bet offers the biggest possible return, with the minimum two dollar wager returning 11 dollars on a three game parlay
The second is a teaser bet that would allow the bettor to change point spread six points in favor of the teams a bettor is picking. A two dollar bet in this format would return just under six dollars if you hit a three game parlay.
The final option is the super teaser. This allows the bettor to change the point spread 10 points in favor of the teams he's picking. This option requires a minimum four game parlay and has the smallest return, just under three dollars on a two dollar bet.
In all three options, bettors can use the set odds on pre-printed cards or use updated odds displayed on the boards at the sports books in Delaware's three racinos, Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington Raceway. The updated odds are expected to offer payouts equal to or better than the pre-printed cards. Bets on preprinted cards can only be between 2 and 100 dollars. Bettor will be allowed to wager as much as three thousand dollars using updated odds.
As the deadline for appealing the court ruling moves closer the state of Delaware has sent a letter to Judge Gregory Sleet asking for a clarification on the issue of two-game parlay bets. You can read the letter.
Meanwhile, the three racinos are putting the final touches on their casinos and waiting until at 10am when the era of sports betting in Delaware gets underway.