William Hill goes for US treble with Brandywine

Buying Brandywine, which is also the odds-maker for the Delaware State Sports Lottery, follows last month's deals to purchase American Wagering and ClubCal's sportsbook wing for a total $40m.

Ralph Topping, William Hill chief executive, said: "It's the right time to establish yourself in the States. It's a country getting to grips with its regulation. It will take time but you need a position here."

He was undeterred by last month's US crackdown on "illegal" poker websites, pointing out that William Hill was building its name in America in licensed, land-based gambling. "We are getting a good reception here," he said.

Brandywine is majority owned by Joe Asher, a lawyer and former managing director of Cantor Gaming, who Mr Topping said had named the business after "a raceway in Delaware where he worked as a boy". He said Mr Asher knew "the odds business inside out" and was "very knowledgeable" about US gambling regulation. "He's got a big future at William Hill," he said.