Image of the gambling machines provided by Delaware Lottery, enhanced with AI on 7/13

New machines offer prop bets, live wagering, same-game parlays and faster ticket processing

DOVER, Del. — Delaware sports bettors can now place more complex wagers without waiting for assistance from a store clerk after the state installed self-service betting kiosks at 89 retail locations and its three casinos.

The Delaware Lottery said Monday that the kiosks are operating at every Sports Lottery retailer, along with Delaware Park Casino, Bally’s Dover Casino Resort and Harrington Raceway & Casino.

The machines allow customers to place traditional bets while also offering options that previously may not have been readily available through Delaware’s retail sports lottery system, including player proposition bets, same-game parlays and live in-game wagering.

Players can also combine multiple sports on one parlay ticket, select prepackaged quick-pick wagers and use a feature that allows them to choose their own point spread.

“As sports betting continues to grow in popularity, these self-service kiosks meet players where they are in terms of fitting wagering into their day as well as their particular preferences for wagering,” Delaware Lottery Director Helene Keeley said in a statement.

Keeley said the machines could also reduce employee workloads and shorten transaction times during busy sporting events.

The kiosks were developed through the Delaware Lottery’s partnership with Scientific Games, while Caesars Sportsbook supplies the betting odds and wagering menu.

Greater convenience, but broader concerns

While the kiosks offer greater convenience, shorter transaction times and more choices for adult bettors, their expansion into neighborhood retail locations also raises concerns about further normalizing a financially risky activity.

Features such as live in-game betting, proposition wagers and same-game parlays can encourage faster and more frequent betting, potentially increasing the risk of impulsive decisions and gambling-related losses.

Supporters may argue that regulated kiosks provide a safer alternative to illegal betting and give customers access to wagers through a state-supervised system. However, placing self-service betting machines in ordinary retail settings also makes gambling more visible and more closely connected to everyday routines.

That broader availability creates a responsibility for the state and participating retailers to enforce age restrictions, promote responsible gambling and make help readily available for people who may be developing a gambling problem.

Building a bet before reaching the store

A new Bet Ahead feature allows players to build a wager on a website before traveling to a participating retailer.

The system generates a six-digit code that can be entered into a kiosk. The player can then review the wager, pay for it and print the ticket.

The kiosks also include a QR code that allows customers to check ticket results and review additional information, including why a wager lost or why a payout may have been lower than expected.

Unlike mobile sports betting, which allows users to fund accounts and wager remotely, the kiosk system still requires players to complete and pay for their transactions at an authorized Delaware location.

Retail betting remains part of Delaware’s broader gambling market, which also includes online sports wagering, casino gaming, video lottery terminals, table games and internet casino games.

Installations completed in June

Lottery and Scientific Games technicians completed installation of the kiosks by June 26, according to the agency. Officials said the work was completed without disrupting existing Sports Lottery services.

The machines are integrated with the Delaware Lottery’s existing gaming technology systems.

The addition of kiosks represents another expansion of the state’s wagering options and gives participating retailers a more automated way to process bets.

The Delaware Lottery began operations in 1975 and says it has contributed $6 billion to the state’s General Fund, which supports government programs and services.

To Go Box:

• What: Delaware Sports Lottery self-service wagering kiosks
• Where: All 89 Delaware Sports Lottery retailers, Delaware Park Casino, Bally’s Dover Casino Resort and Harrington Raceway & Casino
• Betting options: Traditional wagers, prop bets, same-game parlays, live in-game betting, multisport parlays and customized point spreads
• Age requirement: Players must be 21 or older
• Retail locations: Visit delottery.com/sports-lottery/locations
• More information: Visit delottery.com

Delaware LIVE collaborates with a network of professional journalists to cover a diverse range of stories across various fields.  Staff Writers include experienced journalists and young professionals.  If you have questions, please feel free to contact [email protected] or our publisher, George D. Rotsch, at [email protected]