William Hill enters New Jersey market, partners Ocean Resort Casino

William Hill has officially entered the New Jersey betting market, thanks to a new partnership with Atlantic City’s Ocean Resort Casino.

The ocean-front casino, set to open on June 28, today announced the agreement with the world-famous online bookmaker that will bring sports betting to the resort and the state, following the US Supreme Court’s recent decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, a 1992 federal law that banned sports betting in most of the country.

The move is a savvy one for William Hill, making it one of the first bookmakers to gain entry into the new market, providing a solid platform to expand across the US as more states begin to look at legalising sports betting.

“We are very excited to be a part of Ocean Resort Casino, and to have a presence on the Atlantic City boardwalk,” said Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill US.

“We have had great success working with Ocean’s senior management in Las Vegas, and we are excited to have the chance to do so in Atlantic City at what will be the best sports book in town.”

The partnership will still require new legislation, licensing approval and regulation expected to roll through the state’s senate in the next few weeks.

William Hill has been steadily building its network across the USA in preparation for a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court on legalised sports betting. While the UK-born bookmaker already has a strong presence in Nevada, Delaware and Oregon, it’s widely-acknowledged that New Jersey could prove to be one of the most lucrative sports betting markets in the country within the next 12 months.

William Hill will operate a 7,500 square foot sports book in the heart of Ocean’s gaming floor. The area will feature an integrated experience with state-of-the-art video wall technology for viewing sporting events and live InPlay betting odds — think Vegas, but more advanced.

While in the newly constructed $6 million gaming area and at the William Hill sports book, guests will be able to wager on a diverse sports betting menu that includes football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, and more.

“Ocean Resort Casino is thrilled to partner with William Hill, the best name in sports betting, to establish a truly unique sports betting experience in the center of our resort and in Atlantic City,” said Bruce Deifik, chairman of AC Ocean Walk, the company that owns Ocean Resort Casino.

“From real-time betting to exclusive hospitality for major events, the sports book will be second-to-none.”

In addition to the news of its newest partnership, William Hill is also the bookmaker-in-waiting at the Monmouth Park racetrack — another construction deal just awaiting new legislation.