Gov. Phil Murphy on Monday signed a law that finally authorizes legal sports betting in New Jersey, ending a nearly decade-long saga that included a multimillion court battle against the nation’s top sports leagues and a landmark ruling from the nation’s highest court.

Monmouth Park racetrack in Oceanport is planning to become the first parlor in the Garden State to accept bets on professional and college sports games, starting Thursday at 10:30 a.m.

That’s just in time for the start of the World Cup, which begins the same day.

“Today, we’re finally making the dream of legalized sports betting a reality for New Jersey,” Murphy said in a statement Monday after signing the law, which lays out how the state will regulate and tax the betting.

The governor said the move will “attract new business and new fans, boosting their own long-term financial prospects.”

“This is the right move for New Jersey and it will strengthen our economy,” Murphy added.