State Lottery Appoints Deputy Director

The Delaware State Lottery today announced the appointment of Helene M. Keeley to the position of Deputy Director, effective November 12, 2018. As Deputy Director, Ms. Keeley will be responsible for overseeing a number of functions within the Lottery office; including finance, human resources, technology and security.

Ms. Keeley is well known in the Delaware Lottery and national gaming communities having served for 22 years as a member of the Delaware General Assembly and and a long-standing member and current Vice-Chair of the House Gaming and Pari-mutuel Committee. She is an active leader of the National Conference of Legislators from Gaming States (NCLGS), the nation’s only organization for state lawmakers focused solely on public policy related to gaming. She served as the past President of NCLGS from 2014-2016 and more recently as Vice President of its Executive Committee and member of its Committees on Pari-Mutuels and State-Federal Relations.

“Helene has been a strong booster of Delaware’s casino and horseracing industries and a great advocate for maintaining a sound regulatory environment that enables gaming to remain an important contributor to our State’s economy and revenues,” said Secretary of Finance Rick Geisenberger. “The Delaware Lottery Office will be well served by her industry knowledge and more than 30 years of experience managing and driving improvements in the administration of diverse organizations.”

Prior to joining the Lottery next month, Ms. Keeley will have spent 14 years at the Department of Labor where she currently manages daily operations for the Business Services Unit of the Division of Employment and Training. Her prior experience also includes 16 years with Rosenbluth International where she rose to the position of Global Implementation Manager, overseeing the creation and launch of multiple worldwide office locations. These positions have provided her with a wealth of experience in policy and procedures, human resources, technology and security issues, as well as with managing multi-million dollar budgets.

“For many years, Helene Keeley has been an important partner in helping our agency provide a safe and sound regulatory environment for public gaming in Delaware and indeed the nation,” said Lottery Director Vernon Kirk, “so I’m pleased and excited to have her join the great management team we have here at the State Lottery Office.”

The Delaware Lottery strives to create a fun and exciting gaming environment while maximizing General Fund revenues that pay for vital state services. The Lottery Office is responsible for administration and oversight of all Delaware Lottery products including instant and draw games, video lottery and table games, sports betting, keno and iGaming. Since 1975, the Delaware Lottery has contributed more than $5.2 billion to the State’s General Fund including $212 million in fiscal year 2018.


Delaware Launches Full-Scale Sports Gaming

VIDEO: Full-scale sports gaming launches in Delaware

At 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, Delaware launched a full-scale sports gaming operation at all three casinos in the state – Delaware ParkDover Downs Hotel & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino. Betting offered Tuesday included single-game and championship wagering on professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf, and auto racing.

The Delaware Department of Finance, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, has determined that there are no legal obstacles to moving forward with full-scale sports betting in Delaware following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on May 14 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Under state law passed in 2009, Delaware may authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of games involving Delaware-based teams.

To prepare and educate new consumers, the Delaware Lottery has published an online “how-to-bet guide” for SportsPick, the Delaware sports gaming product.

Governor Carney’s Remarks 


Delaware to Launch Full-Scale Sports Gaming on June 5

SportsPick will go live at 1:30 p.m. at Delaware’s three casinos next Tuesday

WILMINGTON, Del. – At 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 5, Delaware will launch a full-scale sports gaming operation at all three casinos in the state – Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, and Harrington Raceway & Casino. Betting offered Tuesday will include single-game and championship wagering on professional baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf, and auto racing.

The Delaware Department of Finance, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, has determined that there are no legal obstacles to moving forward with full-scale sports betting in Delaware following the U.S. Supreme Court decision on May 14 to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. Under state law passed in 2009, Delaware may authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of games involving Delaware-based teams.

To prepare and educate new consumers, the Delaware Lottery has published an online “how-to-bet guide” for SportsPick, the Delaware sports gaming product.

“Delaware has all necessary legal and regulatory authority to move forward with a full-scale sports gaming operation, and we look forward to next week’s launch,” said Governor John Carney. “We’re hopeful that this will bring even more visitors into Delaware to see firsthand what our state has to offer.”

“We have worked closely with Delaware’s three casinos to train lottery and casino staff in preparation for a launch of expanded sports betting, and Delaware is prepared to move forward,” said Rick Geisenberger, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Finance, which oversees the Delaware Lottery. “We will continue to provide public updates and additional information through the Delaware Lottery ahead of next week’s launch.”

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Related news:
Delaware Moving Forward to Implement Full-Scale Sports Gaming
Governor Carney’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Sports Gaming


Delaware Moving Forward to Implement Full-Scale Sports Gaming

Department of Finance, Delaware Lottery expect to launch in June

WILMINGTON, Del. The Delaware Department of Finance, in consultation with the Attorney General’s Office, has determined that there are no legal obstacles to moving forward with full-scale sports betting in Delaware, including head-to-head-betting, which permits single-game wagering. Under state law passed in 2009, Delaware may authorize betting on professional and collegiate sports, with the exception of games involving Delaware-based teams.

The Department will begin training lottery and casino staff next week in preparation for a June launch of full-scale sports betting in Delaware. Finance Secretary Rick Geisenberger issued the following statement on Thursday:

“Following Monday’s ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court and consultation with the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, we are confident that Delaware has the legal and regulatory authority to authorize sports gaming in Delaware. The Delaware Lottery has had plans in place for months, and we will begin training lottery and casino staff early next week. We will continue to provide public updates as we prepare to launch full-scale sports gaming in Delaware next month.”

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Related news:
Governor Carney’s Statement on U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Sports Gaming


Free Delaware iGaming Apps Launched

Dover – The Delaware Lottery is pleased to announce the launch of its free mobile iGaming applications for iOS devices. The mobile apps are now available for download from each of the three Delaware Casino online gaming sites: (www.delawarepark.com/igaming/, onlinegaming.doverdowns.com/, www.harringtongamingonline.com/) and from the Apple App Store.

The three new apps now make it easier for Delaware players to enjoy their favorite casino games “on the go” for real money via WiFi networks. The apps are compatible with iOS devices only (iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch) and you must be 21 to play and located in Delaware.

“This is an exciting moment for iGaming in Delaware”, said Lottery Director Vernon Kirk. “Players can now find convenience and entertainment in playing casino games on their iOS mobile devices, and it’s just in time for tourists visiting our amazing Delaware beaches this summer.”