Delaware Launches Stage One of Online Gambling

Delaware has become the second US state (after Nevada and just ahead of New Jersey) to launch online gambling. Its three casinos began the first stage of operations Wednesday, launching websites with free games including slots, poker, blackjack and roulette.

Delaware Casinos Launch

At 6am local time on Wednesday, all three casinos began directing visitors to Double Down Casino, operated by slot manufacturer IGT. These no-money games will be offered during a trial period ahead of a fully legalized, real-money online gambling operation that is scheduled for launch in October.

The free games are open to players from anywhere in the United States and the world, although the real-money games will only be available to players who access the sites from within Delaware borders.

Planning for October

The first phase will allow the small east coast state to get players acclimated to the virtual world in a legalized environment, Tom Cook, Delaware's secretary of finance, was quoted as saying by national daily US Today.

The October launch date is one month later than state officials originally hopes for, but Cook said it was important to launch "when it's ready." He added that other areas of online gambling will continue to develop, with mobile access set to launch in 2014. He also signalled the possibility of an agreement with Nevada to allow online poker players in both states to compete against each other.