As Colorado officials counted the ballots on a measure that could bring mobile sports betting to the Rocky Mountains, a closer than expected vote on Proposition DD produced an evening full of anxiety for Ron Shell.

Shell, vice president of customer & insights at PointsBet USA, recently moved to Colorado, home of the company’s new technology-focused hub in downtown Denver. A defeat of the measure on election night would have represented a considerable setback for the Australian-based company that has made steady inroads throughout the U.S. market over the last 18 months.

To Shell’s relief, Proposition DD passed narrowly by a 51.4% to 48.6% margin, or a mere 43,982 votes. Now that the dust has settled from the contentious battle, top sportsbooks nationwide are jockeying for positioning in the new market.