Delaware Hits Pause Button On Online Poker

Online poker players in Delaware are now out of luck – at least for the time being. Rush Street Interactive (RSI) has become the state’s newest online gaming operator, taking over after 888Holdings ran online gaming in the state for the last decade.

Delaware’s iGaming model allows for only one operator and RSI doesn’t currently offer an online poker product as of now. In related news, Delaware’s deal with RSI also includes the launch of online sports betting this week.

iGaming Changes, Mobile Sports Betting Begins

Delaware became the first state in the U.S. to launch online gaming in 2013. With a population of just a bit over 1 million, a thriving ringed-in poker market wouldn’t be possible without shared liquidity.

Because of that, 888 pooled players with Nevada and New Jersey via the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement as part of the WSOP.com platform. 888 partnered with the state’s horse racing tracks to operate.

Players in the First State are now without any options when it comes to playing some cash games and tournaments online. RSI is now offering online slots, table games, and sports betting as part of the company’s launch into the state – but no poker.

That may change at some point. The company acquired Phil Galfond’s Run It Once Poker in 2022 for $5.8 million, $3.3 million in cash and $2.5 million in stock. Rush Street is believed to be considering entering the U.S. market at some point. That was confirmed by Delaware Lottery officials.

“Rush Street Interactive has announced previously that it is developing a poker platform that they are excited about sharing with players,” Delaware Lottery director Helene Keeley told Card Player in August. “The Lottery and RSI are working together towards making poker available to Delaware patrons, though we’re not prepared to discuss a specific timeline at this stage.”

The state has seen some major online gaming revenue gains in recent years. Along with launching online gaming, Delaware gamblers will also welcome mobile sports betting. Wagering officially became legal in 2018 at Delaware’s three casinos, but mobile wagering wasn’t given the green light until 2023.

However, state regulators did not allow 888 to run sports betting last year. The state’s bettors still at least have a bit of the football season left to make a few gridiron parlays and bet on the NFL playoffs.