Rational in preliminary talks with New Jersey regulators today

With the ink barely dry on the $4.9 billion acquisition agreement, the Isle of Man-based Rational group and its new owner Amaya Gaming are to meet with New Jersey online gambling regulators today (Thursday) for preliminary discussions on the way forward on licensing once the change of ownership has been implemented.

A previous application by Rational in partnership with the land gambling company Resorts Casino Hotel is currently on a two-year suspension pending changes to Rational’s structure required by the regulator.

Amaya has already been approved for Internet gambling operations in New Jersey as the platform for Caesars Interactive.

The Associated Press news agency reports that DGE director David Rebuck will take part in the discussion, and commented Wednesday:

“We’ve had discussions with Amaya to reactivate the application, and we plan to begin discussions with them tomorrow. We’ll look at whatever they bring over.

“I think in the long run it will be a good story for New Jersey. I’m optimistic that they know what the rules are, and I fully expect them to be very aggressive because they want to be here.”

Rebuck added that he could see Amaya getting approval to operate PokerStars in New Jersey by the fall.

Amaya spokesperson Marie Jones told AP that the company is optimistic that approval can be quickly achieved. No documents have been filed, but she expected a licensing application to be submitted by next week.

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