Online poker players in Delaware will be unable to play for the indefinite future.
A change in online gambling providers in the state has left online poker players without a place to play despite online poker remaining legal in the state. For the last decade 888Holdings has partnered with Delaware Lottery to provide online gambling, including online poker, to Delaware residents. 888Holdings is now out and with them went online poker.
Earlier this month Rush Street Interactive took over as Delaware Lottery’s new partner and the new provider of online gambling to the state. Rush Street does not currently offer online poker which has left online poker players in Delaware without a place to play.
Not only does this cutoff Delaware residents from online poker, it also cuts off states that are part of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement from playing again Delaware residents. Delaware has been sharing online poker player pools with Nevada and New Jersey through the agreement using the WSOP.com platform.
While online poker is off the table in Delaware online sports betting has arrived. Delaware first launched online gambling in 2013 but took more than a decade to finally bring online sports betting to the state. Rush Street will offer online sports betting along with online slots and table games.
It’s possible Rush Street may get into the online poker game, but there’s no timeframe for it. Rush Street previously purchased Run It Once Poker in 2022 and it believed to be considering entering the US online poker market. A statement from Delaware lottery officials seemingly confirms that.
“Rush Street Interactive has announced previously that it is developing a poker platform that they are excited about sharing with players,” said Delaware Lottery director Helene Keeley. “The Lottery and Rush Street are working together towards making poker available to Delaware patrons, though we’re not prepared to discuss a specific timeline at this stage.”