Responding to the opposition and threats from the NFA and NCAA to his proposal to open Delaware to sportsbetting this week, Governor Jack Markell has pointed out to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell that his league already promotes gambling via television networks whose commentators refer to point spreads and make predictions.
Markell’s proposal was also under attack from local racinos, who appear to be concerned about the commercial threat that licensed sportsbetting and the launching of three land casinos in the state could constitute to their business.
The racinos bussed in residents opposed to the governor’s proposal to demonstrate and speak at a meeting where the ramifications of the gambling expansion were discussed. Local newspapers reported that many in the crowd carried signs, uniform in appearance and made in bulk by the racinos, and a spokesman for the companies involved confirmed that Harrington Raceway had purchased the signs and distributed them to the crowd.