The Delaware Sports and Video Lottery Commission Jan. 12 rejected the results of a study that suggests adding two casinos in the state would increase revenue and jobs.
The state-commissioned study was sent to the General Assembly for consideration.
The Wilmington News Journal reported that five of six legislators on the gambling commission voted to warn the General Assembly the addition of two casinos could “damage” the horse racing industry and threaten the viability of the existing three casinos, all of which are located at racetracks.
The state’s three tracks—Delaware Park, Dover Downs, and Harrington Raceway & Casino—have video lottery terminals and offer limited sports betting. The General Assembly this year is expected to take action on a proposal for table games at the tracks.
The tracks and other groups last year began a “Three is Enough” campaign and commissioned their own study, which suggested three casinos are sufficient for the market.
Several proposals for new casinos in Delaware have been floated, including one for a new harness track with gaming near the beaches in extreme southern Delaware, and a non-track gaming parlor in Wilmington in the northern part of the state.
