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Delaware Governor Signs Expansion of Gambling Legislation

DOVER, Del. (AP) — Gov. Jack Markell has signed a bill authorizing online betting in Delaware and more venues for sports wagering and other gambling.

Markell signed the measure Thursday, less than 24 hours after it narrowly passed the state Senate. The Senate vote was marred by controversy as a Democratic lawmaker who opposed the bill mistakenly voted for it, thinking he was voting for an amendment instead.

Sen. Robert Venables of Laurel had said he may move to rescind Wednesday's vote, but Markell's quick signature of the bill into law may have been intended to moot that possibility.

In addition to allowing online slots and table games, the bill expands keno beyond Delaware's three casinos to at least 100 other sites, and betting on NFL football to at least 20 non-casino sites.

Don Rush is the News Director at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.