Delaware: Local Casino Near me

Finding the right Delaware casino to visit might be difficult, especially if you're new to the Diamond State.

Gamers sometimes rely on Google to find nearby casinos using search terms like "casinos near me" or "casino near me with slot machines." Instead of using these terms to find a local casino in Delaware, consider focusing on options that offer the best value and experience.

Gambling at Delaware Casinos

Gambling in Delaware dates back to 1760 when the state hosted horse racing pools which later became regulated in 1933. As of 2023, Delaware offers both land-based and online casinos to residents that are at least 21 years old.

The state is home to three regulated land-based casinos that offer thousands of different choices of slots, including progressive jackpots, 3D slots, penny slots, and high-roller slots. In addition, these local casinos offer a diverse selection of classic table games, such as blackjack and roulette, as well as host horse racing and special events for their patrons.

In 2023, the three regulated casinos in Delaware were:

• Delaware Park Casino, located at 777 Delaware Park Blvd, Wilmington, Delaware 19804.
• Dover Downs Hotel and Casino, located at 1131 North Dupont Hwy, Dover, Delaware 19901.
• Harrington Raceway and Casino, located at 18500 South Dupont Hwy, Harrington, Delaware 19952.

Despite the limited number of land-based casinos in Delaware, the state-regulated casinos are known to offer a wide array of games and entertainment.

Visitors to Delaware may have questions on how to find a local casino. Rather than simply googling "where is the closest casino near me," you should research more on the games and services offered by each casino to improve your gambling experience.

Are there any Indian Casinos in Delaware?

No. Although Indian casinos operate in many states in the U.S., Delaware is yet to offer one. You may prefer Indian casinos over commercial casinos because of their additional selection of games or the ambiance they offer.

If you are a player resident in Delaware and interested in Indian gaming, you may have to travel to another state in the U.S. that allows for a Native American gaming experience.

Unfortunately, neighboring states to Delaware, such as Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, do not offer Indian casinos. You will have to travel to New York and Connecticut, which is the closest state to Delaware that allows Indian casinos, bingo halls, and other Indian gaming.

Are Delaware Land-based Casinos Safe?

Yes, they are. Land-based casinos in Delaware provide safety measures to prevent both casino patrons and employees from cheating. CCTV cameras and security guards are cleverly placed all around each casino to monitor gamblers and employees and to keep everyone safe.

Local Delaware casinos also require guests to present proper means of identification, such as passports or driving licenses, before entry. This is because of the need to ensure that people entering the casino are up to the legal gambling age in the state (which is 21 years for cash slots and table games and 18 years for horse racing).

In addition, casinos in Delaware have their own unique set of rules that regulate the conduct of players. For example, they prohibit people from taking pictures or using their phones when playing. This is to protect the privacy of other players in the casino.

Patrons who violate this policy may first be issued a warning and may eventually be asked to leave upon violating the policy a second time. It is important to note that the three land-based casinos in the state are licensed and regulated by the Delaware Lottery. The Delaware Division of Gaming Enforcement works closely with the State Lottery Office to regulate the local gambling industry and promote crime-free gambling in the state.

Even outside the safety measures put in place by these casinos, you should consider the following safety tips to minimize your chances of experiencing problems with gambling in Delaware casinos:

• Have a fixed budget or bankroll before gambling: Although gambling might be so appealing to you as a beginner player, it is important to always try to minimize your losses when playing. You should only gamble with money set aside for entertainment, and make sure that you do not spend over that amount. Having a fixed budget for gambling keeps you disciplined and prevents you from spending over what you can afford. It is advisable to leave your cards at home so you will not be tempted to take out more money to play.

• Do not gamble more than you can afford to lose: After having a fixed budget, decide how much you can afford to lose before you play. If you win, then that is good, but you should always be prepared for times when you might not be lucky and bet only money you can afford to lose.

• Avoid chasing your losses: This is one of the things you must avoid doing when gambling. Chasing losses means trying to increase your stakes to recover previous losses. Losing the money you have set aside for gambling and then trying to win some of it back will only lead to more and more losses. If you are on a losing streak, it is advisable to take a break and save your remaining money for another time. If you have enough bankroll left and you want to keep playing, it is safer to reduce your stakes because your luck might turn around, and you may be able to recover some of your losses.

• Avoid gambling when you are stressed, depressed, or in recovery: It is difficult to make good decisions when you are depressed or emotionally upset. It is important to gamble only when you are clear-headed and in the right frame of mind. Never use gambling to cheer yourself up. Never gamble when you are in recovery. It can lead to even more gambling problems than you can imagine.

• Avoid drugs or alcohol when gambling: Being intoxicated with drugs and alcohol while gambling can cloud your judgment and prevent you from thinking rationally. Even if you want to take a drink, know your limits and avoid being intoxicated, as that could impact you financially.

• Take frequent breaks: It is very easy to lose track of time and perspective in the heat of gambling. Always remind yourself to take breaks to avoid being sucked into a game for hours. You can step out for some fresh air, eat or engage in other forms of recreation.

• Play for fun and not just for money: You might end up developing gambling problems if you think of gambling as a way to make money. This is because you are likely to keep taking bigger risks that could end up incurring more and more losses for you. You should therefore see gambling as an enjoyable form of entertainment to be performed in moderation.

• Never borrow to gamble: Borrowing money to gamble is definitely a bad idea. If you cannot afford to gamble, then you should not venture into gambling in the first place. Losing money that you borrowed can end up damaging relationships and put you in huge debt, especially if your luck runs out. Even if you are sure you are going to win, using borrowed money to gamble is still not a good idea because gambling is a game of chance. You should always use the money you can afford to lose and avoid using the money you can absolutely not afford to lose, including borrowed money.

• Balance gambling with other recreational activities: Gambling may become a big problem for you if it is your only form of entertainment. Spend time engaging in other enjoyable forms of recreation, and make sure gambling is only something you do as a pastime.

• Never gamble without knowing the rules: If you are a beginner player, ensure you know the rules of every casino game you may want to play to avoid losing money. If you intend on betting on a sport you know absolutely nothing about or a form of poker you are not familiar with, then find out everything you need to know about the game before proceeding to place your bets. In fact, it is advisable to only bet on games you know a lot about because that prevents you from losing money and also improves your chances of winning.

What's the best Casino to go to in Delaware?

Finding the best casino to visit in Delaware depends on the range of games, entertainment, and services offered. Most of the casinos in Delaware are known for providing excellent gaming and dining options, as well as other amenities, including accommodations. Some of the games and amenities that each casino in the state is popular for providing can be seen as follows:

Delaware Park Casino

If you live in or near Wilmington, you can visit this local casino that offers thoroughbred racing, casino and gaming, sports betting, poker, dining, and even golf. The casino is open 24 hours daily and allows for free parking and admission. It is a non-smoking environment that features the following:

Racing

The casino at Delaware Park has two tracks that feature live thoroughbred racing and daily simulcasting of horse racing. The casino's race book runs from May to November and hosts prestigious races such as the Delaware Handicap and Delaware Oaks.

Slots

Delaware Park has over 2,000 slot machines in denominations ranging from a penny to $25. Here, you can play your favorite slot games, including progressives, reels, and video slots. The casino has a High Limit room that features a mix of different slot styles and denominations.

Table Games

Delaware Park offers over 40 table games, including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Three-Card Poker, High-Card Flush, Spanish 21, Pai Gow Poker, Heads Up Hold’em, and more. The casino hosts weekly tournaments in its poker room and also offers players the chance to play Keno.

Sportsbook

On the second floor, you will find the casino's sportsbook, which offers sports betting on all professional and college sports seven days a week. The Sportsbook in Delaware Park offers different types of betting options, including straight bets, teasers, parlays, round robins, and more. You can always use any of the self-service betting terminals in the casino to choose your sport, place your bet, enter the type of bet, and cheer your team to victory.

Promotions

Delaware Park hosts several promotions in respect of slots, table games, and poker. You can join the Players Reward Club to enjoy exciting reward benefits, and also earn points for playing your favorite casino games. Depending on the points earned, you could receive invites to special and exclusive events and enjoy the casino's delicious dining options and other types of benefits.

Entertainment and Dining

The casino hosts live entertainment on Saturday nights between 9 pm to 12 midnight. Delaware Park also has several dining options to choose from, including casual dining, fine dining, quick bites, bars, and more.

You can visit Del Cap (located on the 1st-floor track side) to enjoy a wide variety of your favorite comfort foods along with daily specials. If you want to get an overhead view of the track, visit The Terrace, located on the 3rd floor of the trackside. This dining gives you a perfect view of the track and provides you with a personal tabletop TV for your enjoyment.

If you are looking for something outdoorsy, you can visit The Grove, which provides a perfect outside area to relax in between the races. The Racing Legends Classic Restaurant (2nd-floor casino side) is known for its fine dining, while Rooney's Deli (1st-floor casino side) is popular for its specialty sandwiches, fresh salads, and daily soup specials.

You can also visit Paddock Pub (1st-floor track side) for your favorite drink; On A Roll Deli (2nd-floor casino side) for some cheesesteaks; and Picciotti's Pizza (located between the 2nd-floor slot side and Clubhouse trackside) for amazing pizzas, Strombolis, and salads.

Other options include the Sports Bar (next to the sportsbook and poker room), where you can enjoy delicious burgers, sandwiches, and beer specials.

Accommodations

Although Delaware Park does not provide accommodations, you can find several hotels near the casino, including Christiana Hilton, Hampton Inn and Suites, Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Quality Inn, Red Roof Inn, Econo Lodge Hotel, Staybridge Suites Hotel, etc.

Dover Downs Hotel and Casino

Located in Dover and now known as Bally's Dover Casino Resort, this casino houses a hotel and a racing track, as well as a smoke-free gaming space. The casino is however ideal for smokers. It provides two outdoor smoking-designated gaming areas. Dover Downs is famous for the following;

Slots

These games are among the most popular attractions at Dover Downs because they are fun, easy to play, and one of the simplest ways to win big. The casino has over 2,200 slot machines, including progressives, classic reels, and penny slots, with denominations ranging from a penny to $100 pulls.

Table Games

The casino offers a wide variety of table games, including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Baccarat, High-Card Flush, Three-Card Poker, Cajun Stud, Pai Gow, Spanish 21, Heads Up Hold ‘em, Mississippi stud, and more. You can visit the poker room to play any of your favorite poker games.

Race and Sports Book

If you are into sports betting or harness racing, you can visit the Sports Book and place your bets. The casino's Race and Sports Book allows you to place bets on your favorite professional and college football, basketball, and hockey teams, international soccer, horse racing, auto racing, and more.

Promotions

Dover Downs offers plenty of casino promotions and special packages. You can join the Players Club to earn reward points when playing your favorite slots, table games, or poker. The benefit rewards also include complimentary dinners, invitations to special and exclusive events, quarterly rewards and bonuses, VIP entertainment seating, etc.

Entertainment and Dining

You can visit the Rollins Center concert venue at Dover Downs for a night of music and entertainment. The concert has an intimate feel and good acoustics, making it one of the best places to enjoy good musical performances.

Dover Downs offers a rich mix of dining options, including fast foods, and casual or fine dining. If you are craving Italian food, you should visit the Jerry Longo Meatballs and Martinis, which offers different varieties of Italian-American dishes.

For Asian foods, you should visit Macau Kitchen Express, which prepares specialties such as pork fried rice, pork egg rolls, beef pho, and an assortment of teas. Royal Prime Steakhouse and Lounge is another dining in Dover Downs that offers exquisite prime steak, chops, and other delicacies.

Sugar Factory is the ideal destination for desserts, cocktails, and American cuisine. Here you can find the finest milkshakes, cheesecake, chocolate cake, and other classic desserts. You should visit Sweet Perks Bakery and Café for fine pastries and muffins, as well as exquisite lattes, cappuccinos, and specialty drinks.

In addition, you may visit any of the bars in Dover Downs to enjoy your favorite drink. The bars in the casino include the Sports Bar, Fire and Ice Bar, which offers a walk-up bar service, and The Terrace Bar, which is an outdoor lounge that serves beers, wines, cocktails, and other specialty drinks.

Accommodations

The casino houses a hotel where you can book a room for the night. Dover Downs offers modern and comfortable rooms, including classic Deluxe King and Double Queen options.

The hotel also features spa and salon services for guests. The Toppers Spa and Salon has peaceful massage therapy rooms where you can enjoy tranquil music and aromatic massages. You can visit the salon to get your hair, nails, or makeup done and receive the best skincare and body treatments.

Harrington Raceway and Casino

This is where you go if you live in Harrington and you are looking for the closest casino near you. The casino is popular for its wide range of games and entertainment, including;

Slots

Harrington Raceway has over 1,400 slot machines, including classic reels and modern themes ranging from penny bets to $25 pulls. Some of the popular slot games in the casino include 88 Fortunes, Buffalo Chief, Dancing Drums, Flintstones, Fu Dao Le, Monsters Return, Sizzling 7’s, Super Times Pay, Triple Double Stars, Triple Hot Ice, Wheel of Fortune, more.

Table Games

You can find some of your favorite table games in Harrington Raceway, including Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Lucky Ladies, Spanish 21, Three-Card Poker, Three Card Blitz, Four-Card Poker, In Bet, Heads Up Hold ‘em, Mississippi Stud, 21 + 3, and more.

Race and Sports Book

As in the case of Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway also features live harness racing in its Sports Book. You can bet on auto racing, horse racing, professional and college football, basketball, baseball, hockey, international soccer, and golf. Head over to Murphy’s Race and Sports Book to place your bets and cheer your chosen team to victory.

Promotions

Harrington Raceway is famous for its remarkable promotions, tournaments, reward points, giveaways, and other offers. The casino promotions cover slots, table games, jackpot drawings, and more.

You can also join the Players Club to earn several benefits, including cash, free slot plays, special

and exclusive events, etc.

Entertainment

You can visit Bonz Lounge and Patio to listen to the best local bands in the region, as well as enjoy a night on the outdoor patio during the summer months. If you are looking to catch a few headliners, the casino provides a Live On Stage where you can enjoy live entertainment and have a great time. Here, you can see comedy shows, live bands, famous artists, and more.

Dining

The casino provides the best restaurants to dine at, including Bonz Restaurant and Lounge, which provides a wide selection of dishes such as pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, and more. You can also visit Onion Jack’s, which serves amazing delicacies, including burgers, salads, and other specialties.

If you are craving a delicious sandwich, you can visit Bolo’s Sandwiches or Grab and Go, which does not only offer sandwiches, but also pizza slices, sweets, and snacks. You can also get amazing delicacies in Murphy's Sports Book, including steaks, salads, entrees, soups, and appetizers.

Accommodation

Like Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway does not provide accommodations. However, you can find some hotels close to the casino, including Holiday Inn Express and Quality Inn and Suites. Harrington Raceway has partnered with these two hotels to provide guests with complimentary breakfast and weekend shuttle service to and from the hotels.

What Should I look for in a Land-based casino?

When searching for a land-based casino near you, it is important to take into account some things which would help you make a good decision. Consider the following tips when looking for a local land-based casino;

• Check if the casino is licensed and regulated: Land-based casinos need to be licensed in order to operate legally in a state. If you want to play online casino games, ensure the casino is licensed and regulated by the relevant authority in the state.

• Make sure the casino is safe: You should always look into the safety measures put in place by the casino to protect its patrons. A casino should be able to guarantee the safety and privacy of gamers, especially in respect of their personal and financial information.

• Check the variety of games the casino offers: You should always consider the range of games offered by the casino. Find out if the casino offers your favorite games by visiting their website. The website usually contains the types of slots, table games, or poker the casino offers to players.

• Pick a casino that offers generous comps and rewards: To further enjoy your gambling experience, you might want to choose a casino that gives more back for every dollar you spend. Look out for the different comps a casino offers, including rewards such as free stays, complimentary dinners, free drinks, meal vouchers, etc. You can check the casino's website to find out the types of comps they offer, as well as the conditions to receive these comps.

Should I stay at the casino's hotel?

Staying at a casino hotel can be a good idea because of the many benefits that come with the experience. Although you can find a casino hotel near you by simply searching online for terms like "casino hotel near me", you should always check the amenities offered in the casino hotel when making a decision.

Delaware casino hotels are known for providing state-of-the-art amenities that can make your stay enjoyable. Some of these amenities include spas, beauty salons, gyms, swimming pools, water parks, nightclubs, and more. If you love sightseeing, you might consider staying at casino hotels because of their exquisite locations.

After leaving the hotel, you may decide to visit the beach or any other breathtaking sights, which are usually easy to go to, from the casino hotel. Other benefits you can enjoy while staying at a casino hotel include:

• High-quality rooms: Casino hotels provide state-of-the-art rooms that are comfortable and relaxing. If you get tired from playing games, you can always take a break in your room and enjoy a perfect overnight stay by using some of the amenities the casino hotel offers, including room service, spa services, fitness centers, and more. You can choose any room size you want, including suites and they come with other things such as clean sheets, bathrobes, minibar, and so on. This is to make sure to have a comfortable and enjoyable stay after your day at the machines.

• Entertainment: Besides the games offered in the casino, you can also enjoy other entertaining activities including live performances, stand-up comedy shows, theatres, combat sports such as boxing, and other enjoyable performances where you can dance and meet new friends.

• Restaurants and Bars: Casino hotels also have many restaurants and bars where you can enjoy all kinds of exquisite meals, snacks, and drinks. If you are already lodged in the hotel, you can always step out of your room and visit the restaurants in the hotel. You can also visit any of the bars in the casino hotel to relax with your favorite drink. Here, you can find beers, premium wine, classic cocktails, and other specialty drinks. If you play your favorite games and earn reward points, you can use the points to get significant discounts on meals, drinks, and even your stay at the hotel.

• Security: This is another benefit of staying in a casino hotel. Security at casino hotels is very strict and round the clock. The casino employs trained security personnel that works round the clock to ensure that the hotel is safe and free from any suspicious activities.

• In addition, there are CCTV cameras around the premises of the casino hotel to further strengthen security. You can therefore have peace of mind knowing that you are in a safe environment and that you and your belongings are safe.

What Can I Bet on at Local Delaware Casinos?

Delaware casinos offer a diverse selection of games to bet on, including slots, table games, poker, sports and race betting, etc. You can bet on popular slot games such as 5X Pay, 88 Fortunes, Dancing Drums, Double Diamond, Double Gold, Flintstones, Fu Dao Le, Game of Thrones, Gold Fish, James Bond, Lock It Link, Lord of the Rings, Mega Hits Double Diamond Deluxe, Monopoly Millionaire, Monsters Return, Playboy, Sizzling 7’s, Star Trek - Final Frontier, Super Lucky Lotus, Super Times Pay, Triple Double Stars, Triple Hot Ice, Triple Red Hot 7’s, Wheel of Fortune, Wizard of Oz, and more.

The three local casinos in Delaware also offer popular table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, Mini and Midi Baccarat, Three-Card Poker, Let it Ride, Heads Up Hold’em, Four and Five-Card Poker, Pai Gow, High-Card Flush, Spanish 21, and more.

If you have an interest in race or sports betting, you can place bets on horse racing, auto racing, and professional and college sports, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, and golf. The casinos in Delaware also offer parlay sports betting on pro football.

Parlay cards such as Half-Point, Teaser, and Super Teaser are available in the casinos.

How do I get Comps at a Local Delaware Casino?

Casino comps are complimentary, free offers and gifts that are granted to players to encourage them to stay longer or come back for an additional visit. Delaware local casinos usually offer comps to players in the form of free stays, room upgrades, meal vouchers, free drinks, free concert tickets, free casino plays, etc.

Delaware Park, for example, offers players the opportunity to earn comps while playing their favorite slot and table games. If you join the casino's Players Reward Club, you can earn reward points and become eligible for benefits such as complimentary dinners, special invitations to exclusive events and promotions, sweepstakes, quarterly rewards, exclusive shopping at the casino's boutique, and more.

Delaware casinos usually calculate comps based on several factors, including the amount of money you bet, how frequently you play, the types of games you play, how much you lose, and so on.

This information is gotten from your player's card, which casino analysts may track. Some of the ways of obtaining comps in any local Delaware casino include:

Join the Players Reward Club and get a Player's Card

The best way to ensure that you can receive comps is to join the casino's Players Club and sign up for a player's card. The three land-based casinos in Delaware use your player’s cards to track your play and decide how well to treat you.

A player's card allows casino analysts to track your personal information and is useful for the easy dispatch of comp packages. Once you sign up for a player's card, you become eligible for gifts and comps, depending on the level of points you earn.

For example, if you sign up for a player's card in Harrington Raceway, you get 10% off at the casino's gift shop and restaurants. Membership in the casino's Players Reward Club also gives you access to VIP Tiered Points Program, where you can earn points to receive benefits like free casino drinks and meals, slot dollars, exclusive event invites, bonus entries, point multipliers, seasonal gifts, and more.

Earn tier points and improve your loyalty level

Once you join the Players Reward Club and sign up for a player's card, you can start earning reward points and reach your desired card level. You can earn tier points by playing your favorite slots, table games, or poker.

Depending on your level of gaming activity, your tier points can get you exclusive discounts at casino restaurants, bars, boutiques, gift shops, concerts, and so on. Delaware Park tier points, for example, provide access to sweepstakes, giveaways, slot dollars, free mobile app, comp point earning for dining and retail purchases, comp multipliers, exclusive birthday offers, exclusive shopping, VIP track room access, and more.

In the case of Dover Downs, your reward points can grant you access to a complimentary hotel room, free valet parking, free annual cruise, VIP entertainment seating, suite room upgrade, annual tier gift, and more.

Simply Ask

Another way you can get comps is to ask for them simply. You can ask the casino staff about the comps you may have earned after rounds of games. They can look at your player's card and tell you what rewards you are entitled to.

Pit bosses sometimes grant comps like free drinks, meal vouchers, and even concert tickets. You just have to ask them for it. Although there is no certainty that they would give you the comps, you have nothing to lose when you ask.

How Much Can I win at a Brick-and-Mortar Casino?

The amount of money you can win at a land-based casino usually depends on several factors, including

The type of casino games you choose to play

The specific games you choose to play at a brick-and-mortar casino can determine your amount of winnings. Some games have higher payouts than others. For example, progressive jackpots have the potential to turn small bets into huge payouts.

You can win millions of dollars from Real Money Pokies, which has produced the highest payout of $39,710,826.36. You can also win great payouts from playing regular slot games.

Although most land-based casinos have fixed maximum payouts for slot games, you can still win good money, even if it is not as much as that of progressives. Unless you play at table games jackpots or participate in poker tournaments, it is usually difficult to get huge payouts from table games.

Withdrawal policy on winnings

Land-based casinos have different policies on how much you can withdraw from your winnings. Some casinos may set caps on the maximum amount you can withdraw or require you to meet some wagering requirements on some games. The withdrawal policies, therefore, determine the amount of money you will take home.

Taxes imposed on winnings

The maximum amount of money you can win in a land-based casino that is non-taxable is $600 (if that is 300 times the money you bet). You can win a minimum of $1,200 or more at a slot machine or bingo game, $1,500 or more in keno winnings, and $5,000 or more in a poker tournament.