The market for legal sports gambling in the United States widened significantly Tuesday with expanded betting in Delaware, putting legal wagering within driving distance of three major East Coast cities less than a month after the U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for states to accept the bets.
Instead of flying to Las Vegas or betting illegally, fans in Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington can make a short drive to legally bet in Delaware on the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup Final or the World Cup. More states are likely to join the action by the time the NFL starts its season in the fall.
"Giants and Yankees, all day, every day," Manhattan native Karriem Keys said Tuesday after betting on the New York Giants to win the Super Bowl next year.
Keys, 53, who now lives in Dover, was one of a couple of dozen people laying down early wagers at Dover Downs as Delaware became the first state outside of Nevada to offer legal gambling on individual sporting events.
"In New York, we would go right to the corner store, to the bodega, and bet," Keys said. "That's not legal, but, you know, everybody was doing it. But now it's legal so it's great."
Gov. John Carney had the honor of placing the first bet, wagering $10 on the Philadelphia Phillies to beat the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night.
"I'm a big sports fan, a big Philadelphia sports fan," said Carney, who traveled to Minnesota in February to watch the Eagles win the Super Bowl.
Dover Downs casino workers took in 36 bets within the first 20 minutes of legal wagering. The offerings at Delaware's three casinos include bets on professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and auto racing.
Rocket man?
Soon-to-be free agent LeBron James will look for a contender to close out his career. Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote says the Houston Rockets are the front-runner for the King's services.
"Forming a triumvirate with James Harden and close friend Chris Paul would give James and Houston the firepower to challenge Golden State," Cote wrote. "Paul also is a pending free agent but would re-up in a heartbeat to finally play alongside his buddy.
"Who knows, LeBron might even fill up the old Banana Boat by bringing over his friend D-Wade from Miami. The one negative: LeBron would be leaving the relative comfort of the Eastern Conference and wandering into the Warriors' lair. No more free rides to the Finals."
Topsy-turvy
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, feeling his world getting turned upside down: "I covered boxing in Toronto last week and am going to Las Vegas today for the Stanley Cup."
Sports on 06/06/2018