Visibility for UK-focused gambling companies including Ladbrokes Coral (LCL) and William Hill (WMH) is currently clouded by looming regulatory risk, yet the quoted bookmakers will be gazing excitedly across the pond.

In a momentous decision, the US Supreme Court has agreed (27 Jun) to hear arguments on whether sports betting should be legalised in New Jersey and by extension, elsewhere in the US.

New Jersey governor Chris Christie is bidding to revive a state statute legalising sports betting.

A decision is due in the court’s next term, which starts in October. Christie reportedly hopes fans may be betting on NFL games ‘certainly in time for the Super Bowl’ in February 2018.

The opening up of a vast US sports betting market is relevant for anyone invested in William Hill.

The £2.2bn cap is already Nevada’s leading sports betting company. William Hill US was created through the 2012 acquisition of three small sports book operators in Nevada.

William Hill US has almost 30% of the state’s sports betting revenue, offering bets on everything from football and basketball to baseball and horse racing.

Presently, the US gambling market is dominated by physical casinos and lotteries, with online gaming largely illegal. Only Delaware, New Jersey and Nevada are able to provide certain online gaming products.

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