Introduction to Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019
Delaware slot machine casino gambling consists of three casinos offering video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines controlled by Delaware Lottery Games. Besides video slots, these VLT-style machines offer video poker, video keno, and video blackjack.
Further, Delaware has established both minimum and maximum theoretical payout returns. Moreover, return statistics are publicly available online from the state.
This post continues my weekly State-By-State Slot Machine Casino Gambling Series, an online resource dedicated to guiding slot machine casino gambler to success. Now in its third year, each weekly post reviews slots gambling in a single U.S. state, territory, or federal district.
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![The City of Newark [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/1-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Relevant Legal Statutes on Gambling in Delaware*
The minimum legal gambling age in Delaware depends upon the gambling activity:
- Land-Based Casinos: 21
- Poker Rooms: 21/18
- Bingo: 18
- Lottery: 18
- Pari-Mutuel Wagering: 18
In part, Delaware gaming regulations define a slot machine as a gambling device that must “eject something of value.” Therefore, Delaware’s VLT gaming machines do not use a ticket-in, ticket-out paper vouchering system. Instead, they accept and payout in cash or tokens.
At Delaware’s casinos, the minimum bet is 1-penny. The maximum bet is $2,500.
Notably, Delaware has a policy of winner privacy. Slot machines fall under this privacy stipulation, so casinos cannot release the names of winners for promotional purposes unless the winner specifies otherwise.
*The purpose of this section is to inform the public of state gambling laws and how the laws might apply to various forms of gaming. It is not legal advice.
Slot Machine Private Ownership in Delaware
In Delaware, it is legal to own a 25 years old or older slot machine privately.
![Delaware Division of the Pennsylvania Canal [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Gaming Control Board in Delaware
The Delaware gaming commission is Delaware Lottery Games. This state agency is responsible for providing gaming regulations for VLT-style gaming machines and table games.
However, enforcing Delaware’s gaming laws is the responsibility of the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
![The Coastal Town of Fenwick Island [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/3-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Casinos in Delaware
There are three pari-mutuel racetracks with video slot machines in Delaware.
The largest casino in Delaware is Dover Downs Hotel & Casino with 2,250 gaming machines in September 2019 and 41 table games.
The second-largest casino is Harrington Raceway & Casino with 1,732 gaming machines in September 2019 and 30 table games.
Commercial Casinos in Delaware
The three casinos in Delaware are:
- Casino at Delaware Park in Wilmington, located 37 miles southwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in state capital of Dover, located 53 miles south of Wilmington.
- Harrington Raceway & Casino in Harrington, located 25 miles south of Dover at the Delaware State Fairgrounds.
Tribal Casinos in Delaware
![Map of Delaware Casinos [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/4-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Other Gambling Establishments
As an alternative to enjoying Delaware slot machine casino gambling, consider exploring casino options in a nearby state. Bordering Delaware is:
- North: Pennsylvania Slots
- Northeast: New Jersey Slots
- South & West: Maryland Slots
Each of the links above will take you to my state-specific blog for that neighboring state to Delaware.
Online gaming for real-money gambling, including slots as well as poker and other casino games, exists in Delaware, although an online player must be at least 21 and physically located within the state’s borders. See each casino website for links to this gambling option offered by Delaware.
Delaware is one of the original states where sports betting was available in 2009. Sports betting is for multiple games at professional and college sporting events.
Further, to help Delaware compete with casinos in neighboring states, all Delaware casinos offer table games of craps, blackjack, and roulette. The availability of other table games depends upon each casino.
![Delaware Slots Community [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/5-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Our Delaware Slots Facebook Group
Are you interested in sharing and learning with other slots enthusiasts in Delaware? If so, join our new Delaware slots community on Facebook. All you’ll need is a Facebook profile to join this closed Facebook Group freely.
There, you’ll be able to privately share your slots experiences as well as chat with players about slots gambling in or near Delaware. Join us!
Payout Returns in Delaware
The minimum and maximum payout returns for Delaware’s slot machines is 87% and 95%. These theoretical limits are an annual average for each machine. See Delaware Code 20, Chapter 4805, Section a15.
However, games may have a payout return higher than 95% with approval from the Director of Delaware Lottery Games. I have not found how often, and for which machines, the Director has given this approval.
What’s known from these gaming regulations is that Delaware casinos do not directly control the odds of winning on their VLT-style slot machines. Delaware Lottery Games controls the odds of winning remotely offsite from Delaware casinos.
Monthly return statistics are online at Video Lottery Monthly Proceeds and Distributions at Delaware Lottery Games.
To calculate a player’s win percent, divide “Amount Won” by “Amount Played” for a month, then multiply by 100%. Using the most recent month’s statistics at the time of this writing, September 2019, the player win% at each casino and overall is:
- Delaware Park: An Amount Played of $162.4M divided by an Amount Won of $175.9M is, after multiplying by 100%, a player Win% of 92.3%.
- Dover Downs: $163.4M divided by $176.4M is 92.6%.
- Harrington Raceway: $96.7M divided by $105.7M is 91.7%.
- The state average for September 2019 was 92.3%.
![The Causey Mansion in Milford [Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019]](http://professorslots.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/6-delaware-slot-machine-casino-gambling.jpg)
Summary of Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling in 2019
Delaware slot machine casino gambling consists of three pari-mutuel racetracks offering video lottery terminal (VLT) style slot machines controlled by the state gaming commission, Delaware Lottery Games. These VLT-style machines offer video slots, multiple games of video poker, video keno, and video blackjack.
By law, all games must return between 87% and 95% of all wagers on an annual basis. However, these theoretical payouts can exceed 95% with the Lottery Director’s approval. Monthly return statistics are publicly available from the state, with minimal calculations necessary to determine player win%.
Annual Progress in Delaware Slot Machine Casino Gambling
There has been little change to the gaming industry in Delaware over the last year. The total number of gaming machines has increased by 2% overall, while the previous year had a significant decrease of 17%.
