Is Poker legal in Delaware? Online & Live Poker Laws in DE

Both online and live poker are legal in Delaware. On this page, we will talk through what's legal, where to play legal, real-money poker and give you a quick overview of the history of poker in Delaware.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the situation of poker in Delaware.

Can I Play Online Poker in Delaware?

Yes, you can play online poker in Delaware. At the time of writing, there aren't' an abundance of options for real-money online poker in the state, but that's not because it's not legal. 888poker was the only choice for players in the state for a decade, before it pulled out in 2023 to focus on other markets.

Since that moment, Delaware had been plunged back into the poker abyss, with no sites operating in the region. That was, until BetRivers came to save the day - launching in mid-2025. It's presently the sole operator providing online poker in the state, but this monopolization is anything but unfair for consumers. BetRivers is a great online platform that is ever-growing and enjoys shared liquidity across three other states (PA, MI and WV).

Can I Play Live Poker in Delaware?

Yes, you can play live poker in Delaware. The state offers several venues for live action, primarily through its three racetrack casinos: Delaware Park in Wilmington, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Dover, and Harrington Raceway & Casino in Harrington (more on these later). Each of these venues features poker rooms that regularly host cash games and poker tournaments.

It's important to note that the legal age to play live poker in Delaware is 21. All poker games are regulated by the Delaware Lottery, ensuring fair play and secure gaming environments. This helps protect both the casino and its players.

If you're in Delaware and looking to sit at a real poker table, you absolutely have legal and regulated options to enjoy live poker throughout the state.

Delaware Poker History and Gambling Laws (Timeline)

• 1900s - Ahead of the Curve
  Delaware was already ahead of the curve when it came to gambling laws, having introduced horse racing back in the 1930s, the lottery in the 1970s, and casinos in the 1990s.
• 2012-2013 - The First State
  Living up to its nickname, in 2012, the First State became the first state to legalize online poker following Black Friday. One year later, 888 signed an agreement to be the sole provider of online poker in the state.
• 2014 - Shared Player Pools
  When online poker was first legalized in Delaware, it was only available to residents of Delaware and they could only play online against opponents living in Delaware. In early 2014, the state signed an online partnership that allowed Delaware and Nevada to share player pools; New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have since been added to this agreement.
• 2018 - Sports Betting Ruling
  Delaware already had limited "parlay" wagering on sports available to its residents even before the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in May 2018 ruled the federal ban on states offering sports betting was unconstitutional. Soon thereafter, Delaware lived up to its nickname again by passing legislation to become the first of many states to join Nevada and begin offering fully-fledged sports betting.
• 2023 - The Dark Ages Return
  The bad times returned in late-2023. After 10 years, 888 decided to not renew their exclusivity contract and withdrew its poker services from the state. This left players with no options, with online poker offline in Delaware after the Delaware Lottery switched its exclusive igaming partner from 888Poker to Rush Street Interactive (RSI). Phil Galfond's Run It Once (RIO), which is owned by RSI, was anticipated to launch in Delaware and other states in 2024.
• 2025 - Return to Market
  That came to fruition in June 2025, but not quite as first expected. Phil Galfond did launch a site using the Run It Once legacy software, but it was rebranded as BetRivers. BetRivers Poker had already launched in Pennsylvania and later became the only provider of online poker in Delaware.

Tax on Poker in Delaware

Poker winnings are taxed in Delaware as of June 2025. Both the federal government and the state of Delaware require you to report gambling winnings, including from poker, as taxable income. Casinos may issue a W-2G form for large wins, but all winnings must be reported, even if you don’t receive a form.

Additionally, while you may be able to deduct gambling losses up to the amount of your winnings for federal taxes, Delaware does not allow deductions for gambling losses.

Safe & Responsible Gambling in Delaware

Delaware offers a fully regulated online poker market, and that includes robust player protections. Every licensed site must offer built-in responsible gaming tools like deposit limits, time reminders, and self-exclusion options.

Players can also enroll in the Delaware Lottery’s self-exclusion program to block access to online and retail casinos for one year or more. Support is always available via the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems at 1-888-850-8888.

Find out more with the PokerNews Guide to Responsible Gambling.

Play Legal Real-Money Poker in Delaware

Looking to play poker online in Delaware? Here's how you can get started legally and safely.

How to Play Legal Online Poker in Delaware

Delaware is one of the few U.S. states with fully legalized and regulated online poker. Players can enjoy real-money games through state-approved operator BetRivers Poker.

To get started, simply click the PokerNews link below and get a generous welcome bonus just for signing up to BetRivers!

Once you've signed up and verified your identity, you're then free to play the multitude of poker games on offer on the platform.

What's more, you're not just restricted to playing against other Delaware residents. Its shared player pool means you'll be at the tables with PA, MI and WV players!

How to Play Legal Live Poker in Delaware

If you need a break from online poker and want to sit down at an actual poker table, look no further than these Delaware options.

Here are Delaware's best poker rooms and casinos that offer live poker.

Delaware Park Live Poker

Delaware Park is a casino located in Wilmington, Delaware near the Wilmington Memorial Bridge.

The casino includes a poker room that advertises “action-packed tables, weekly tournaments, select high hand days, (and) superior guest service,” as well as other promotions.

The tournaments offered at Delaware Park poker room, which is located on the second floor, include daily standard-structure tournaments and deep stack turbo tournaments. In addition to poker, the casino offers horse racing, slot machines, table games and sports betting.

The casino also offers a Players Rewards Club that allows plays to move up tiers and earn a variety of benefits, including special invitations to exclusive events, birthday offers, VIP track room access, free check cashing and exclusive host concierge service.

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort Live Poker

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort, previously Dover Downs Hotel & Casino, boasts itself as the largest casino in Delaware. The action at Delaware’s largest casino includes blackjack, craps, roulette and some poker.

Though the poker room at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort is no longer functioning, a handful of poker table games are still offered on the casino floor. These casino games include heads-up Hold’em and Three Card Poker with a six-card bonus bet.

Be sure to check out these handy PokerNews guides if you are looking to increase your skills in Three Card Poker or other casino poker games.

Harrington Raceway & Casino Live Poker

Harrington Raceway & Casino was previously another live poker option for Delaware grinders.

Located off of DuPont Highway in Harrington, Delaware, the casino was home to a 100-seat poker room with games like Texas Hold’em, Omaha hi-lo, 7-Card Stud and Dealer’s Choice games.

Unfortunately, the poker room at Harrington Raceway & Casino is currently closed “until further notice,” according to the casino’s website.

Delaware Poker FAQs