Deleware Governor On State’s Decision To Legalize Sports Gambling
May 15, 2009 – 6:15 am by Michael Bean
Yesterday on SRI, we heard from Steve Budin and his take on the sports betting industry following the fall out of the Toledo point-shaving scandal. Today, let’s hear from Delaware governor Jack Markell. Delaware, which is known for little else than very lax business tax laws, is set to legalize sports gambling. It would make the small state just the fourth state in the country to do so along with, Oregon, Montana and Nevada. Markell joined WFAN in New York to talk about the decision and its implications.
On how the state plans to deal with the challenge put forth by the National Football League in response to this legislation:
“We expected a challenge and frankly, we look forward to working with with the NFL. We obviously disagree with the challenge that they’re presenting but we would rather work with them to make sure that the proper regulatory processes are put in place, we’ve got the right oversight, that we’ve got the Delaware State Police, which is a great agency, working cooperatively, you know, just to make sure that all the integrity is preserved.”
On whether bettors will be able to bet single games straight up, or whether they will have to exclusively make multiple-bet parlay wagers, as is the case in some places:
“Well that’s exactly the question we’ve put before the Supreme Court. We’d obviously like to see it more towards the straight bet with the spread, but we’ve asked the very best legal minds in Delaware to rule on that.”
And how much does the Governor believe the state will clear in year one from the new revenue stream:
“Our projection is between $52-$55 million [in year one].”
Is Markell, who has two kids of his own, concerned about what this might lead to for children down the road:
“It’s certainly something we talk about. I’m personally not a bettor and they understand that. I think this is something that’s up to every family and something we talk a lot about as a family.”
Listen here to Markell on WFAN in New York
Tags: Delaware legalizes sports gambling, Governor Jack Markell, NFL challenges Delaware sports betting laws
