Cantor Gaming and Horse Racing United in Partnership Deal

California online poker legalization impatiently anticipated According to an announcement from Cantor Gaming and Californian non-profit organization Horse Racing United (HRU), the two have inked an exclusive agreement, based on which Cantor Gaming will provide HRU with the technology and infrastructure for an intrastate internet poker platform. The deal is conditional on the legalization of online poker in California and the subsequent award of license to HRU, which represents the interests of substantially most thoroughbred racing and breeding organizations in California, such as Santa Anita Park, Del Mar, Golden Gate Fields, Oak Tree Racing Association, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Breeders Association and California Authority of Racing Fairs. It was stated by Josh Rubinstein, senior vice president, development of Del Mar Thoroughbred Club: "In order to provide new revenue for the State, protect California jobs and make sure California is economically competitive, Horse Racing United is committed to working with the State of California to seek a legal Internet poker solution that works for all parties." He also added that 50 000 Californians are directly or indirectly employed through the California horse racing and breeding industry, worth approximately $2.5 billion annually. "We are currently the only industry authorized to conduct online gaming, which contributes a significant and growing percentage of our industry's revenue and tax dollars. Cantor Gaming's technological capabilities and infrastructure support can help Horse Racing United provide California with a state-of-the-art platform for online poker," he pointed out. In addition, Lee Amaitis, president and chief executive officer of Cantor Gaming, stated: "As other states begin to move to legalize online gaming, California is well-positioned to leverage its size and generate revenue that otherwise would not exist."