SPONSOR:	Rep. Lofink & Sen. DeLuca

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

144th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 10

DIRECTING THE SECRETARY OF FINANCE, THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE CONTROLLER GENERAL TO CONDUCT A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY REGARDING SPORTS BETTING IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, in 1992 Congress enacted the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) which made betting on professional or collegiate sporting events illegal except where individual states had forms of legalized sports betting or were in the process of putting them in place; and

WHEREAS, Delaware, having operated a sports betting game through the 1980’s, was one of four (4) states to have been grandfathered under PASPA; and

WHEREAS, the agribusiness model has been implemented by Delaware’s video lottery industry through the reinvestment of substantial video lottery proceeds into ensuring the viability of the agricultural industry; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware has worked successfully with the state’s three (3) racinos to maximize their competitiveness in response to the establishment of slot machine operations in close proximity to the State; and

WHEREAS, a recent study projects that the State could receive significant additional General Fund revenue as a result of reinstituting sports betting; and

WHEREAS, there is concern among some Delawareans that reinstituting sports betting could potentially have unintended consequences upon society to include but not be limited to the increased incidence of gambling problems; and

WHEREAS, it is prudent for the State of Delaware to comprehensively study this issue and report back to the Governor and General Assembly in a timely manner.

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 144th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, with the approval of the Governor, that the Secretary of Finance, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Controller General prepare a comprehensive study regarding the reinstitution of sports betting in the State of Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such study clearly and fully outline and explore the potential benefits and unintended consequences to the citizens of the State as a result of reinstituting sports betting.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that such study consider all reasonable aspects of the implementation of sports betting and make recommendations to include but not be limited to number of venues, operational management, licensing of venues, potential projected revenues and potential affects to the problem of gambling addiction.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that no later than December 21, 2007 the Secretary of Finance, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Controller General provide the Governor and the General Assembly with the complete study with the aforementioned details and recommendations contained therein.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of Finance, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget and the Controller General may retain the services of a consultant in producing this study.