Last week as Maryland was getting ready for what could be its last Preakness, just across the state line, Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signed a bill into law to allow table games such as blackjack, craps, roulette and poker. At the same time, Delaware will also offer sports gaming in the form of a lottery.
The move by Delaware made the Maryland slots casinos obsolete before they have even been built.
I spoke recently with Ed Sutor, a 30-year veteran of the gaming industry and CEO of Dover Downs, about what the new law would do for Delaware.
JW » How long will the process take before the gaming tables are in and the sports betting is operational?
Sutor » We have 75 days to work out the revenue split between the state and the casinos. We also need to figure out the best way to set up the sports lottery. We will then submit our recommendations to the legislature so that they can get a ruling from the Delaware Supreme Court. But if all goes well, and we are optimistic that it will, we expect to have sports betting up and running before the NFL season and the table game in either near the end of the year or very early in 2010.
JW » How does the new law enhance the gaming experience?
Sutor » It allows us to add table games and sports betting to our facility, thus we can offer our guests a total gaming experience. Let me give you an example. Next week we have a NASCAR race here, people could come up on Friday night É check into our hotel, play some blackjack, maybe go to the sports bar, bet on an NBA or NHL playoff game, have some dinner, watch the game and return to the tables. They could do more of the same Saturday, and then on race day, Sunday, go to the race at the Monster Mile and head home.
Sutor also told me he plans to build one of the best sport lounges in the country and make it a regular destination, not just for the weekend fan, but an event spot for everything, including Super Bowls, World Series and Final Fours.
Do I hear road trip?
Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this! on washingtonexaminer.com.
