Delaware lawmakers are advancing iLottery legislation as the state expands its online lottery platform. State Rep. Bill Bush, a Dover Democrat, told the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday that the lottery is shifting an increasing share of sales online and that the state needs to protect its retail partners. His House Bill 335 would require iLottery players to buy prepaid cards at physical stores in order to participate in online games. “The lottery department is getting ready to move a lot of our sales that take place currently at small stores, such as your Powerball tickets, your Mega Millions, your daily plays; they’re all being moved where they can be sold online,” Bush said.
Delaware launched its iLottery in 2012 and recently expanded its offerings through the app with its longtime partner, Scientific Games. The platform currently allows the sale of instant tickets online, and iLottery draw games are set to come online in fall 2026.
James Leonard, Director of iLottery with Scientific Games, described the program’s intent. “iLottery was not designed to replace retail lottery sales,” he said. “It was designed to reach new players and engage consumers who increasingly expect digital options, expanding the overall lottery.” Bush acknowledged the bill’s potential cost, telling the committee, “the fiscal impact that is out there is large… I just think it’s a very, very important thing that we protect our small businesses.”