Under the deal, RSI will provide its igaming solution to the Delaware Lottery for an initial five-year term. This will be renewable for five additional one-year terms, depending on regulatory approvals.
Media reports previously suggested RSI and 888 Holdings were competing for the tender. However, RSI was in fact the only remaining bidder for the contract, after 888 pulled out in May.
RSI CEO Richard Schwartz said the operator intended to build on its record in the Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey tri-state area.
“We are honored to collaborate with the Delaware Lottery team and the state’s three casinos to offer consumers who are geo-located in Delaware with safe, convenient, and innovative online gaming experiences,” he said.
“Rush Street Interactive has established itself as a leading innovator in the industry, and is a respected igaming and sports betting company,” added Delaware Lottery director Helene Keeley.
“We are impressed not only with RSI’s successes in other jurisdictions, including neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, but also its strong commitment to responsible gambling practices.”
888 ends partnership with Delaware lottery
The news sees the lottery’s former supplier 888 end its decade long partnership with the lottery. The operator first signed a contract with Delaware in 2013, and since then has provided it with its online poker and casino solutions.
iGB sources suggest 888 exited the tender bid in May after a long and complex process. This included prospective vendors given just weeks to reply to a series of complex demands.
These included integrations for online sports betting, despite state laws prohibiting the activity. The Delaware 2023 legislative session did not ultimately see a sports betting bill pass. As such this led to last minute delays in the tender process.
Sources added 888 ultimately decided to retract its bid after a lack of communication from the lottery. It also cited the state’s small igaming market and mounting costs associated with the technical specifications.
