Delaware's Senate approved a bill this week that would authorise sports betting in the first state.

Instead of sending the bill to a committee for a debate, the senators voted to suspend those rules and allowed it to be debated in the full chamber. A short time later, the bill passed 17-2 with two abstentions.

"I am very pleased that the senate acted so quickly to pass the sports lottery legislation and I very much appreciate the leadership from both sides of the aisle," said Governor Jack Markell in a statement. Markell, who has been a major backer of the bill, is expected to sign the bill soon. Once it is signed, Delaware will become the first state to allow sports wagering. It is estimated that sports betting will generate about $50m annually for Delaware.