Australian online gaming company enters N.J. market with sports betting license connected to Freehold Raceway

An Australian online betting company has acquired a sports betting license in New Jersey, it announced Tuesday, entering the state’s market with its second such U.S. license.

PlayUp, which provides online sports betting, horse racing and daily fantasy sports in Australia, New Zealand and India, has signed a multiyear deal with FR Park Racing LP, the sports wagering certificate holder and operator of Freehold Raceway.

PlayUp USA CEO Laila Mintas said the company hopes to launch in New Jersey in the first quarter.

FRP is owned by Pennwood Racing Inc., which has as its partners Greenwood Racing Inc., Penn National Gaming Inc. and Parx Casino.

“Parx Casino is happy to partner with PlayUp in New Jersey as they debut their international expertise of online sports betting in the United States,” Matthew Cullen, Parx’s senior vice president of interactive gaming and sports, said in a prepared statement.

PlayUp is also licensed in Colorado.

“We are very excited about the partnership with two excellent brands — Parx Casino and Penn National,” Mintas said in a statement. “We are looking forward to establishing PlayUp as a strong and innovative sports betting brand in the U.S.”