Delaware sees super results from football wagering this season

Loyal Eagles fans took betting losses, enriching First State's General Fund

DOVER — The Eagles met a disappointing end in a Super Bowl repeat quest, but it wasn’t all bad for Delaware at least.

As loyal fans wagered unsuccessfully at times on Philly throughout the season, First State winnings continued to grow.

According to Delaware Lottery Director Helene Keeley on Feb. 5, disappointing results by the Ravens and Commanders caused bettors to lose money.

Add it all up, she said, and sales from football betting was up 10% compared to last year and the state held onto more than 50% than it did the prior season.

Profits are deposited in Delaware’s General Fund to benefit state residents.

Last season, Ms. Keeley said, the Eagles winning the pro football championship game made it “not a good year for us,” in a business sense.

This time, however, there was “a lot of hope (for the Eagles, Ravens and Commanders) but at the end of the day none of them did what they were supposed to do,” Ms. Keeley said.

“So you probably have people still betting on the Eagles up until the very last minute because they’re tried and true fans but at the end of the day they didn’t win,” she said.

Now comes the Seahawks versus Patriots in Super Bowl 60. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. today at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and more money will change hands.

Ms. Keeley said there’s excitement surrounding the game.

“There’s always excitement out there because both quarterbacks are talented and the majority of the Seahawks team has been together and is stabilized,” she said.

Ms. Keeley pointed to emerging Patriots star quarterback Drake Maye “who week after week after week has performed and won game after game after game.”

Also, according to Ms. Keeley, “I will tell you in general with the Eagles not in it, it is not as exciting as it was last year or previous years (when they were) still in it ...

“So, is there excitement? Yes there is but I don’t feel the energy as much.”

According to Ms. Keeley, 69% of bettors on the state’s BetRivers platform had taken Seattle -4.5 points. That amounted to 82% of the money wagered on the Seahawks to cover the spread.

Popular players props included Seahawks Kenneth Walker III or Jaxson Smith-Njigba to score an anytime touchdown, along with a quarterback to throw two or more touchdown passes.

Stefon Diggs and Rhamondre Stevenson were the most popular Patriots to bet reaching the end zone, according to the Delaware Lottery.

Parlay wagers can be placed at retailers throughout Delaware.

Single bets and parlays are available at:

• Harrington Raceway & Casino, 18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington

• Bally’s Dover Race & Sportsbook, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover

• Delaware Park Casino, 777 Delaware Park Blvd., Wilmington

Wagering is also available online via the BetRivers app.

For information, visit delottery.com.

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