Plans for the state of Delaware to begin taking sports bets took a hit when a federal appeals court in Philadelphia ruled that the plans would violate the 1992 federal ban on sports wagering. Delaware was one of four states specifically exempted by the law because it previously offered a state sports-based lottery, but the court agreed with attorneys from the major sports leagues that the state's plan to accept singlegame wagers on games was more than the exemption permitted. The leagues were challenging the denial of an injunction by a federal judge to halt the wagers before the September 1 starting date. It is unclear at this time whether the ruling would
stop all sports betting or whether the parlay system used in the 1976 lottery game could go forward. 

By GGB Staff

Staff writers for Global Gaming Business magazine. Las Vegas, Nevada.