Delaware Online Poker Roll Call Vote Could be Rescinded: ‘Sorry, I Meant to Vote No’

Just when we thought online poker was about to easily become legal in the state of Delaware following yesterday’s vote in the Senate, one of the Senators has come forward to proclaim that he “accidently voted ‘yes’ when he meant to vote ‘no’.”

Say what?

From DelawareOnline.com: 

There is a chance the final roll call will not stand. After the vote, Sen. Robert Venebles, D-Laurel, said he meant to vote no but mistakenly voted yes.

Venebles said later that he had turned down his hearing aid to eliminate background noise in the chamber and thought the vote being taken was on Ennis’ amendment, which he supported.

While final vote came in at 14 yea and 6 no, a 3/5 vote is required in order to pass.

"I missed it," said Venables, who indicated that he might move to have the roll call rescinded.

"We can keep Delaware at the forefront of gambling," said Senate President Pro Tem Anthony DeLuca, D-Newark. "This is an opportunity for Delaware to be a leader in the marketplace."

Markell administration officials say revenues generated by the expanded gambling opportunities will allow them to eliminate $4 million in annual slot machine fees paid by the casinos and cut their table game fees from $6.75 million to $3 million.

Markell could opt to sign the bill into law immediately as a means of preventing the roll call from being rescinded. 

- Gilbert Horowitz, Gambling911.com