New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy has signed his state’s sports betting legislation, putting the state’s tracks and casinos on track to start wagering operations as early as Thursday.

On June 7, both chambers of the New Jersey legislature unanimously approved bills authorizing single-game real-money sports betting at state racetracks and Atlantic City casinos. Online wagering via state-licensed sites would commence 30 days after Murphy signed the bill into law.

But Gov. Murphy held off immediately signing the bill, sparking confusion and a little acrimony. Murphy was alternately accused of holding the betting bill hostage to the state’s budget debate or considering a conditional veto to add the ‘integrity’ fee sought by the professional sports leagues.

Murphy (pictured) ended the speculation on Monday afternoon by signing the bill into law, saying the state was “finally making the dream of legalized sports betting a reality.” The state waged a seven-year legal battle to get to this stage, and Murphy said betting would boost the “long-term financial prospects” of the tracks and casinos while strengthening the state’s overall economy.