DE Sports Betting loss may leave budget hole

The State of Delaware is trying to figure out how much a hit its budget will take after losing a court battle to launch single game betting.

The State of Delaware is trying to figure out how much a hit its budget will take after losing a court battle to launch single game betting.

State officials estimated sports gambling would yield 21 million dollars this year, but that was before The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday that offering single game bets in Delaware violates federal law.

That decision appears to leave Delaware with some version of parlay, or multiple game bets – and may limit those bets to NFL games.

What form of  parlay bets are allowed won’t be certain until the Third Circuit releases its full opinion and Governor Jack Markell’s spokesman Joe Rogalsky says that is one of the variables that will determine the impact on state revenues.

But Rogalsky adds the State can adjust if the loss of single game bets means less revenue. “There’s no reason for panic or fear. I mean, the money were talking about was a conservative estimate, and we’ll see how things shake out.” Rogalsky said. “The fiscal year just started. There’s plenty of time to make any adjustments we need to make.”

For that reason, Rogalsky says what says talk of a special session to deal with the budget is premature.

Rogalsky says a clearer picture of  where the State stands will come next month. “Later in September, we’ll meet with the Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council, which is some of the brightest financial minds in the state and the region, and determine what the budget impact will be.”

DEFAC’s next revenue forecast is expected September 21st.