William Hill signs New Jersey sports betting partnership
Hills to supply a full Las Vegas-style sportsbook should sports betting legislation be passed
William Hill has finalised a deal with New Jersey racecourse Monmouth Park to become the track’s official sports betting provider.
As a result of the partnership Hills will become the sponsor of the Haskell Invitational, one of America’s biggest horse races. The event is to be renamed the William Hill Haskell Invitational, and will take place on 28 July.
The deal also includes provisions for federal sports betting legislation, with the operator to supply a full Las Vegas-style sportsbook, with William Hill US CEO Joe Asher pledging that “one day sports betting will be legal in New Jersey”.
“When it is, William Hill will be there,” Asher added. “In the meantime, we are really excited to sponsor the William Hill Haskell Invitational, one of America’s great races for three-year-olds at one of America’s great racetracks.” Oral arguments on the potential regulation of sports betting in New Jersey are due to begin soon.
Dennis Drazin, an advisor to Monmouth Park operator Darby Development LLC, explained that having “carefully evaluated” which operator would leave the business in the best position to succeed, it “decided to partner with a world leader”.
“We are thrilled to announce this partnership for sports betting at Monmouth Park and happy to have William Hill as the proud sponsor of the William Hill Haskell Invitational,” he said.
Having enacted a law to legalise sports betting in 2012, New Jersey has met with strong opposition from America’s major professional sports leagues and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. In February this year a federal court ruled that any attempt to regulate the vertical would be in violation of federal law, prompting an appeal from the state. This will be heard in the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on June 26.