The Lottery exists, by law, to generate income to fund essential state services. The Lottery accomplishes this by contributing nearly one-third of its sales revenue to the state General Fund, the pool of dollars that supports the majority of state services. Established by the State Legislature in 1975 as a means of generating revenue, the De laware Lottery operates under the State Department of Finance. With the governor’s approval, the Legislature is responsible for allocating the General Fund in support of state services. State services that benefit from the General Fund include education; health and social services; public safety; judicial and corrections; and various children, youth and family organizations. In addition to the Lottery, other sources of income for the General Fund are state taxes, franchise taxes, gross receipts taxes, public utilities taxes and cigarette taxes. The Lottery also helps fund programs offered by the state’s Department of Health and Social Services for problem gamblers.
There are currently almost 500 retailers throughout the state
The Delaware Lottery offers sa les incentives to retailers and commission bonuses to retailers who sell winning tickets. The Lottery also supports retailers by providing signs and other in-store merchandising and training materials.
Video Lottery provides a source of business and revenue needed to support legislative efforts to rejuvenate the state’s horse racing industry. Under the supervision of the Delaware Lottery, Video Lottery is operated at the three racetracks in the state. Delaware Park and Dover Downs have been operating Video Lottery since December, 1995, and Harrington Raceway began Video Lottery operations in August, 1996.
Today the racetracks collectively offer 6,581 Video Lottery terminals, with 2,500 machines each at Delaware Park and Dover Downs and 1,581 at Harrington Raceway. Delaware’s Video Lottery is one of the most successful in the United States in a net-proceeds-per-machine basis.

• Law establishing the Delaware State Lottery was signed on May 31, 1974.
• First Lottery games introduced in 1975.
• First daily numbers game, PLAY 3, introduced in 1978; LOTTO game added in 1983.
• Teamed up with other states to introduce the multistate POWERBALL® game in 1992.
• Video Lottery machines introduced at three racetracks in 1995 and 1996.

Download the 2009 Delaware Lottery Annual Report
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Download the 2008 Delaware Lottery Annual Report
CLICK HERE

Delaware Lottery's New $100,000 Parlay Card Proves Popular With Bettors
Delaware Park PLAYER Misses $100,000 Jackpot by ONE GAME on Monday Night
DOVER, Delaware (December 16, 2009) -- Since its debut at Delaware's racetrack casinos three weeks ago, the Delaware Lottery's $100,000 Parlay Cards have quickly become a favorite among sports bettors. Last week, the $100,000 jackpot was nearly awarded to a single player who missed by just one game when the Arizona Cardinals lost to the San Francisco 49ers in Monday Night Football....................Subscribers

Interview with Delaware Lottery Director Wayne Lemons
Article By Doug Denison, Staff Writer, Dover Post
DOVER, Delaware (December 1, 2009) -- Delaware Lottery Director Wayne Lemons was Interviewed by Doug Denison, Staff Writer for the Dover Post......................Subscribers

Delaware Sports Betting Beats Revenue Projection
DOVER, Delaware (December 1, 2009) -- The first three months of sports betting has produced significantly more revenue that had been expected.....................Subscribers

Delaware Lottery to Expand Sports Wagering Offerings With Favorite Local Teams Cards
DOVER, Delaware (November 30, 2009) - Reports the Delaware State Lottery is unveiling several new parlay card wagering offerings for its recently launched sports lottery..................Subscribers

Delaware Riding High on Sports Betting Initiative
DOVER, Delaware (November 25, 2009) - Delaware is reportedly making more money than predicted from sports betting...................Subscribers

State Offers New Sports Betting Game
DOVER, Delaware (November 21, 2009) - Delaware Lottery officials are offering a new sports betting game with a chance to win up to $100,000 on a single wager..................Subscribers

New Fast Play® Game Speeds into Delaware
Lottery Players Skip The Wait With New Instant-Win Game From The Terminal
DOVER, Delaware (October 28, 2009) - Delaware Lottery players are now winning cash faster than ever thanks to FAST PLAY®, the quickest instant-win game ever offered in the First State. An exciting new online game, Fast Play tickets went on sale this morning at the Delaware Lottery's more than 520 licensed retailers..................Subscribers

Sports Betting Glitch Leaves Winners Unpaid
DELAWARE (October 26, 2009) – It was reported officials said today that some gamblers who won pro football parlay bets couldn’t get paid Sunday because of a malfunction in the state’s central computer system...................Subscribers

Delaware State Lottery Evaluating Option to Sell both Mega Millions and Powerball® Games
Two Game Groups Will Join to Develop Concept for a Future Combined High-Jackpot Game
DOVER, Delaware (October 13, 2009) -The Delaware Lottery responded today to significant news in the gaming industry as the Multi-State Lottery Association (MUSL) and the Mega Millions Consortium cleared the way for development of a future game that may be offered in a combined 42 states, Washington D.C., and the US Virgin Islands......................Subscribers

Finance Head Impressed By Sports Betting Revenue
DOVER, Delaware (October 8, 2009) -- Acting Delaware Finance Secretary Tom Cook said the latest revenues from sports betting show another significant increase..................Subscribers

Proposed Small-Games Tax Riles Many Volunteer Organizations
DELAWARE (September 25, 2009) – According to the local news sources a twenty (20%) percent tax on revenue from small games of chance proposed in the state budget has many volunteer organizations up in arms.......................Subscribers

Delaware Loses Appeal to Overturn Sports Betting Restrictions
CHICAGO, Illinois (September 29, 2009) - Delaware’s appeal of a ruling that its plan to allow betting on professional sports violates a federal ban will not be heard...............Subscribers

Adverse Court Ruling on Delaware's New Sports Betting Lottery Impacts State Revenue Forecast
DELAWARE, USA (September 22, 2009) - An increase in Delaware's official revenue forecast reflects higher taxes and fees imposed by lawmakers earlier this year, not an improving economy...............Subscribers

Delaware Officials Release Sports Betting Figures
DOVER, Delaware (September 18, 2009) -- More than 14,500 wagers were made on NFL games during the first week of Delaware's new sports betting lottery...............Subscribers

State Appeals Sports Betting Decision
DELAWARE (September 15, 2009) – It was reported that attorneys for the state argued in a court filing Monday that a federal appeals panel abused its discretion and ignored Supreme Court precedent in restricting Delaware's new sports betting lottery to multi-game wagers on NFL football...................Subscribers

Delaware Sports Betting Begins With NFL Opener
DOVER, Delaware (September 10, 2009) – Press reports sports betting in Delaware officially got under way Thursday after surviving a contentious legal battle with professional sports leagues and the NCAA..................Subscribers

Delaware Challenges Judge Over Sports Betting Rules
DOVER, Delaware (September 9, 2009) – According to a report State officials are keeping their options open as they get ready to launch Delaware’s new sports betting lottery this week.................Subscribers

Delaware Bettors Can Wager Up to $3K in Sports Lottery
DOVER, Delaware (September 8, 2009) -- The Delaware sports betting lottery which starting this week has a minimum bet of $2, and a maximum wager, depending on the type of bet, of $3,000..................Subscribers

Delaware Starts NFL - Only Betting After Court Upset
DOVER, Delaware (September 4, 2009) – After an expensive court battle, plans by state leaders and casino operators to offer betting on single games in multiple sports were struck down. Delaware can only offer betting on at least three NFL games per wager, called parlay bets..............Subscribers

Delaware Forges Ahead With Plan For Sports Lottery
DELAWARE (August 26, 2009) -- Delaware officials are working on plans for parlay betting despite a ruling this week that single-game sports betting would violate a federal ban on sports gambling...............Subscribers

Court Rules Against Delaware Sports Betting
PHILADELPHIA (August 24, 2009) -- A federal appeals court ruled Monday that sports betting in Delaware would violate a 1992 federal ban on such wagering, essentially halting the state's plans to start taking bets next month....................Subscribers

Challenge to Delaware's Soon-To-Be-Launched Sports Lottery To Be Argued Monday
DELAWARE, USA (August 21, 2009) – On Monday morning the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals takes up an emergency injunction request brought by all of the major professional sports leagues -- baseball, football, basketball and hockey -- to challenge Delaware's soon-to-be-launched sports lottery..................Subscribers

Delaware Gambling Study Panel Named 
LEWES, Delaware (August 19, 2009) -- Governor Jack Markell has named panelists who will serve on the commission studying whether Delaware should allow new gambling venues (racinos) and their potential economic impacts...........................Subscribers

Delaware Readies Response To Sports Betting Appeal
DOVER , Delaware (August 12, 2009) - Delaware officials are fighting a request by professional sports leagues and the NCAA for a quick ruling by a federal appeals court on the state’s plan to offer sports betting................Subscribers

Judge Refuses to Halt Delaware Sports Betting
WILMINGTON, Delaware (August 5, 2009) -- A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request by professional sports leagues and the NCAA to halt Delaware's planned sports betting lottery until a legal challenge is resolved......................Subscribers

Leagues Try To Stop Delaware Sports Betting Before It Starts
DOVER, Delaware (July 29, 2009) - As reported today that America's major professional sports leagues sought a preliminary injunction in federal court Tuesday that would prohibit Delaware from starting crucial portions of its sports betting plan this fall.....................Subscribers

Markell Administration Responds to Sports Lottery Lawsuit
DOVER, Delaware (July 24, 2009) – On Friday, papers were served to the Delaware District Court to begin a class action lawsuit. The lawsuit would target Governor Markell of Delaware, as well as the Lottery Commissioner of the State of Delaware...............Subscribers

Delaware Has Bettor Game Plan
DELAWARE (July 15, 2009) - Delaware will accept single-game and parlay bets on NFL games this season, according to a report......................Subscribers

State Set to Eliminate Finance Department, Which Includes Lottery Office
DOVER, Delaware (July 7, 2009) – Local media source reported Governor Jack Markell said Monday that he will eliminate the Department of Finance as part of his effort to shrink state government..................Subscribers

Nascar Expresses Support For Delaware Sports Betting
DOVER, Delaware (June 15, 2009) -- A Nascar spokesman is reported as saying the league supports a state sports lottery because many stock car racing fans enjoy going to casinos......................Subscribers

Delaware Supreme Court Gives OK to Sports Betting; Permits Lotteries That Have Element of Skill
DOVER, Delaware (May 28, 2009) -- Delaware hopes to add betting on football to its lottery in time for the fall season...................Subscribers

Delaware Supreme Court Hears Sports Betting Arguments
DOVER, Delaware (May 22, 2009) – News sources reported today that the Delaware Supreme Court on Thursday listened to oral arguments on reasons they should issue an opinion on whether a sports betting lottery complies with the state constitution......................Subscribers

Delaware Sports Betting Legislation Signed Into Law
NEWARK, Delaware (May 14, 2009) -- Delaware becomes the only state east of the Mississippi River to allow betting on sports after the governor signed the legislation.......................Subscribers

Sports Betting Bill Passes Delaware Legislature
DOVER, Delaware (May 12, 2009) - A bill reauthorizing a sports betting lottery in Delaware is headed to the governor for his promised signature....................Subscribers

Delaware House Passes Sports Lottery Betting Bill
DOVER, Delaware (May 8, 2009) – According to a press report lawmakers convened early Friday morning to rescind Tuesday's roll call and vote on an amended sports betting bill, which won overwhelming approval........................Subscribers

Delaware House Rejects Sports Betting Bill
DOVER, Delaware (May 6, 2009) – According to local media reports a bill re-establishing a sports betting lottery in Delaware has failed to clear the state House......................Subscribers

Governor Holds the Line on Sports Betting in State of State Address
DELAWARE, USA (April 29, 2009) – According to local media reports Governor Jack Markell used his first State of the State address on April 28 to reinforce his priorities for balancing Delaware’s projected $780 million budget shortfall, including the reintroduction of sports betting...................Subscribers

House Majority Leader Introduces Sports Betting Bill
DOVER, Delaware (April 6, 2009) – House Majority Leader Rep. Peter C. Schwartzkopf introduced compromise legislation on Monday that would alter the original proposal for expanding gaming in Delaware, doing away with provisions to allow the state to add up to three new casinos and up to 10 sports betting parlors.................Subscribers

Delaware State Lottery Issues Request For Information For Sports Gaming Operations And Associated Services
DELAWARE (March 23, 2009) -- The Delaware State Lottery is issuing this Request For Information (RFI) inviting Vendors to submit their capabilities and interests relative to the implementation of a Sports Gaming  Operation..................Subscribers

Delaware Poised to Take a Bet on Sports Gambling
DELAWARE, USA (Mar 12, 2009) -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell plans to propose a bill sometime next week that would legalize sports gambling in Delaware..............Subscribers

Gambling Losses Hit State
DOVER, Delaware (February 3, 2009) – According to local media reports Delaware faces a declining economy because of the state's reliance on gambling as a major source of revenue. Revenue from the State Lottery, which includes traditional scratch-off games as well as slot machines and other gambling...............Subscribers