Online gambling out of soft launch phase in Delaware

Online gambling went to full throttle in Delaware Friday after a week-long “soft launch” period of practical testing with selected players that revealed no serious flaws in the systems.

Lottery officials revealed that around m125 players had registered and participated in the intrastate soft launch, a number that is now expected to increase as companies go to full operational status.

DelawareState Lottery director Vernon Kirk told media reporters that one area where some difficulties had been experienced was the rejection of some credit card transactions.

State Secretary of Finance Tom Cook explained that the banks carrying Visa cards do not have a universal code for online gaming. Mastercard, on the other hand, has a special code for gaming transfers.

Systems are adjusting from the days when a blanket prohibition on internet gambling financial transactions was applied in terms of the UIGEA, a hangover which numerous experts warned federal legislators about many years ago.

Cook said that in general the geolocation systems worked well, although there had been a few problems with players living close to state borders.

The consensus was that in general the overall system had operated safely and to the required standards, Cook said.

E-gaming in Delaware can be accessed through www.doverdowns.com, www.harringtonraceway.com and www.delawarepark.com.