Welcome to our guide to legal online casinos in Delaware. Online gambling has been legal in the state for many years, and as a result, residents are able to play casino games from their computers and mobile devices with the comfort that there is a state agency overseeing the activity of the operators. This guide will cover where you can find legal online casinos in Delaware, the types of games that are offered and how to make the most out of your online betting experience.
A brief history of legalized online casinos in the state
With most of the news in the U.S. these days being about the legalization of sports betting, one thing that is often overlooked is that online casinos and poker sites have been legal in some states for years now. This is true in Delaware, where the government passed legislation that would allow for these sites to operate legally all the way back in 2012.
The online casino laws are straightforward – there were three licenses awarded, one each to the land-based gaming facilities in the state. There are no other licenses that have been awarded, and it does not appear as though that is going to change anytime soon.
Where you can play legal online casino games in Delaware
As per the legislation set out in 2012, there are only three legal, licensed online casino operators in Delaware. You can go online and find casinos that are tied to these properties:
Delaware Park
Harrington Racetrack
Dover Downs
What types of casino games you can play in Delaware
If you have never played at an online casino, you are in for a real treat. Playing online gives the luxury of selecting from hundreds of different games, all with a click of a mouse or push of a finger. Every online casino has different selections for you to choose from, mostly falling into these categories.
Slot Machines:
Online slot machines are the most popular of all the games at a casino. These games mimic the behavior and gameplay of the machines you would find if you walked into a land-based casino, but with no physical boundaries, an online casino can offer hundreds of different titles. You can choose to play simple 3-reel games like the classic games of days past, or opt to play one of the machines that is branded with some recognizable name from the world of entertainment. Online slot machines can be played for as little as pennies a spin, and some offer progressive jackpot that could turn you into a millionaire in an instant. Check out the slots lobby of the online casino you are considering playing to see what titles are offered.
Table Games:
While slot machines offer you the best chance of having a big jackpot win, table games are designed for longer sessions that require a little more interaction. Playing table games such as blackjack or roulette are very convenient and in most cases, much faster than playing the real-life versions of the game. Your hands and spins happen straight from a random number generator, and with no chips to be physically passed back and forth or shuffling of cards every few hands, you can get much more action in per session playing online.
Live Casino:
Since the mid-2000s, Live Dealer Casino games have been available to players who are playing online. These games have taken off in popularity in the last few years with the advancement of streaming technology, and now many online casinos offer a full suite of games featuring live dealers. These tables are the perfect mix of the speed of online play and the social action that comes from playing live. Dealers are sitting in studios all over the world, waiting for you to sit at their table. The betting all happens digitally, but when it comes time to see the cards, the dealer pulls them from a chute just like you would see in a land-based casino. You should definitely check these games out if you see them offered at an online casino.
Online Casino Bonuses
With three licensed choices for online casino play in Delaware, there is some competition for your deposit and play. Online casinos offer bonuses and rewards to players to give them a reason to choose their brand, and this is where you can make your dollars go further. Here are a few types of bonuses you will see when looking at an online casino site.
Deposit Bonuses – these are the most standard bonuses you will find at an online casino. A site will offer to match your deposit, sometimes over 100%, in bonus dollars. You can use these bonus dollars to bet, but they must be converted to real money before you can withdraw them. Each casino will have a set of rules about how much you have to play each game in order to convert bonuses – make sure to read them carefully before you start playing.
Cashback – This is more insurance than it is a bonus. Some casinos will offer cashback promotions for limited times or for certain games, where you are able to receive a percentage of your losses back into your account. These are typically returned to you in the form of bonus dollars which then, of course, need to be converted back to real money through more play. We hope you never have to see cashback in your account, but it is a nice security blanket to have just in case you have a bad session.
VIP Program – An excellent online casino will offer its VIP players rewards that match their level of play. Many sites give you the parameters of the VIP program upfront so you can see how to achieve that status. VIPs can receive exclusive bonuses, free spins, or even rewards that are more tangible like gifts or trips to the land-based casinos. If you are going to dedicate your time and money to a site, make sure you know exactly how to get to be a VIP!
Payments to and from online casino sites in Delaware
The legalization of online casinos in Delaware and other U.S. states has opened the door to many more payment processing options than existed in an unregulated environment. You can make your deposits and withdrawals right from your mobile device or computer, or you can even go to the land-based casino associated with your account and make a payment at the cage. Here are the most popular payment options.
- Credit and Debit Cards (not all banks accept online gambling transactions)
- PayPal
- Bank Wire Transfer
- ACH (E-Check)
- Prepaid Cards
- Skrill
- Neteller
Delaware Online Casinos FAQ
Can I play at other online casinos from Delaware?
Aside from the legal online casinos operated in Delaware, you can still access many of the offshore-based sites that operate outside the parameters of the law. These online casinos, based in Latin America and the Caribbean, offer tables games and slots, but the overall experience you will have is of far less quality than with one of the regulated options. Also, the offshore sites present a significant risk when it comes to your money and getting it out of the site if you are a winner. We suggest you stick to the sites monitored by the Delaware Lottery.
Can I try games for free at an online casino?
Many online casinos give you a chance to play some or all of their games for free before you play with real money. The gameplay will be exactly the same in both cases, as the software being used is identical for real money or free play games. This is a great way to try out a slot machine to see how the paylines work or perhaps to play a table game you have never tried before. You don’t have to put any of your money at risk while you are learning how to play, which is a huge advantage.
How do I know online casino games are legitimate?
This is a question we hear a lot from players – a concern that the games they are playing online could be rigged in the favor of the casino. The fact is that an online casino operator would not want to ruin its reputation by offering shady games. Further, all the software being used at the licensed online casinos in Delaware must be tested and certified by an independent third-party agency before being approved for use in the state. All this adds up to being able to give players peace of mind that they are playing games with proper casino odds.
Why can’t I access my account outside the state?
The Delaware online casino legislation included language that would force operators to ringfence their software so it can only be used inside the physical borders of the state. If you are trying to access your casino account while traveling outside the state, you will receive an error message, but have no fear – your account is still there and will be available upon your return.