This move, said State Senator George Bunting, would give his state a unique advantage as gaming continues to proliferate throughout the United States.

Some perceive this as a smart move since the only other states that will ever be able to have legalized sports gambling are Nevada, Montana and Oregon, which are all on the other side of the country. No other states are permitted to enact this form of gambling because of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which Congress passed in 1992. This law prohibited the further expansion of sports betting. Since Delaware was already considering this concept as far back as the early 1990s, it is still permitted to enact sports betting should it choose.

"How many billions, legally and illegally, are bet on March Madness in the United States every year?" said Delaware state Sen. George Bunting. "You can go to your local country club and see people laying off bets and everyone turns their heads. That's revenue states and voters are not receiving. Why can't we handle sports betting like we handle the lottery?"

According to Bunting's legislation, Senate bill #135, the law would take proceeds and place them into a "General Fund to be reserved for veterans programs for Delaware’s resident veterans and to supplement federal monies paid to the State for the Medicaid program."

Though sports betting is legal in Oregon, it is eliminating betting on National Football League games starting in 2007. Currently the states offer chances to win similar to that of an office sports pool. Now residents can pick three or more NFL games and try their luck. Point spreads apply. According to Oregon Lottery spokesman Chuck Baumann, as told to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, NFL games bring in about $13 million a year.

In Montana, there are sports betting pools and limited sports fantasy leagues with payouts of $500 or less.

Ironically, Bunting is not in favor of legalized gaming of any sort, but has come to see it as a necessary evil. "Personally, I've worked hard against gambling, and originally I was not enthralled with this. It's a shame that we, as a country, have to depend on gambling, but it's a fact," Bunting told the Review-Journal. "Once the Delaware tracks start losing money, and they are going to if these other states come on line, they are going to look for other options like sports betting. The ace in the hole for us is that we don't have to seek approval from Congress."

Unfortunately Bunting does not see this law passing any time soon, that is until Maryland approves some form of gaming and the slot parlors in Pennsylvania begin to cut into Delaware's take.

"My bill is going nowhere," Bunting said. "And I would say its chances are slim to none."

Currently, Delware permits what are know as racinos, which are slot facilities at thoroughbred race tracks. The facilities are located Delaware Park, Dover Downs and Harrington. Each of the properties are currently Delaware Park in Stanton, is remodeling a portion of its grandstand and simulcast areas with the addition of an Irish-themed bar and a video monitor wall which will simulcast races from all over the U.S.