New Jersey betting set to start on Memorial Day

OCEANPORT, N.J. – It could be a historic Memorial Day at the Jersey Shore.

Because May 28 is now the tentative date set for Monmouth Park to open the William Hill Sports Book and begin accepting the first wagers on individual sporting events outside Nevada.

After internal discussions on Monday — following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling favorably in New Jersey’s bid to legalize sports betting in the state — as well as talks with William Hill, the track’s partner in sports betting, Memorial Day is now the target for accepting wagers from area gamblers.

“When they told me the 28th, I was a little concerned because it’s a Monday and I would like to try to do it before the weekend,” said Dennis Drazin, president and CEO of Darby Development, which operates Monmouth Park. “But with all the logistics, getting everyone trained, that is the date we are targeting now.”

The question is whether lawmakers in Trenton will have completed legislation that will provide the framework for sports betting in the state.

Drazin has said there is nothing stopping Monmouth Park from opening its sports book before the legislation is complete, nor has he been told by Gov. Phil Murphy or Senate President Steve Sweeney that they would stop the track.

“We would defer to the legislature if they have any different views, but I know the legislature is going to move swiftly on this,” Drazin said.