Delaware lawmakers consider 2 bills that would add table games to state’s gambling options

Delaware lawmakers consider table games

DOVER, Del. — Two bills that would pave the way for Delaware to add table games such as poker, blackjack and craps to the state’s gambling options passed their initial legislative hurdles Wednesday.

The House Gaming and Pari-mutuels Committee voted to release a bill that authorizes card and dice games at slot machine casinos in Delaware, which already offers a state lottery, slots, and betting on horse races and professional football games. The bill also would create a state lottery commission to regulate and oversee table games, and a new division of gaming enforcement.

A state Senate committee, meanwhile released a separate bill aimed at preventing cheating on table games. That bill was approved by the full Senate later Wednesday.

In exchange for the privilege of offering table games, the casinos would pay an annual collective licensing fee nominally set at $13.5 million. But if the casinos spend a total of $2.5 million on capital improvements annually and hit performance targets, the licensing fee could be as low as $5 million.

The casinos would receive 66 percent of the gross table game revenue, with 29 percent going to the state and 4.5 percent to horse racing purses.

Rep. Deborah Hudson, R-Greenville, said she was concerned that the casinos, which enjoy a state-granted monopoly on slot machines and sports betting, would receive more than twice as much table game revenue as the state, which is struggling financially.

“I just feel that this bill was not written in the interest of taxpayers,” said Hudson, a co-sponsor of the legislation. “I think overall, the state just gets pocket change from what’s left over.”

She added, “I want to proceed, but I want to make sure we get what we deserve.” Hudson nevertheless said she would withdraw an amendment to alter the revenue split in order not to jeopardize the legislation.

Acting finance secretary Tom Cook noted that the revenue split was the product of intensive negotiations with the casino industry and represents the second-highest rate of return for any state that allows table games.

Cook also said the state would receive income tax revenue from the estimated 750 new jobs that table games would bring.

The bill outlining penalties for cheating on table games drew little discussion in the Senate Judiciary Committee, although Sen. Harris McDowell, D-Wilmington, questioned a provision granting civil and criminal liability to casino officials who would be allowed to detain a patron suspected of cheating until police arrive.

Mike Barlow, legal counsel to Gov. Jack Markell, said the immunity is not absolute, and casinos can be held liable for unreasonable conduct. The bill allows casino officials to detain someone “in a reasonable manner and for a reasonable length of time while awaiting the arrival of law enforcement officials, who will be summoned without delay.”

Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Lewis Schiliro said police have a good record of getting to casinos quickly in response to calls.

“We’re not anticipating that there would be any undue delay in getting law enforcement there,” he said.