Optimal Payments wins US poker deal

Optimal Payments has signed a deal with Caesars Entertainment as the Las Vegas gaming firm enters the U.S. online poker market.

Shares in Optimal jumped after it said it would supply Caesars Interactive Entertainment with gateway services related to payment processing, fraud management and other related services.

Joel Leonoff, President of Optimal, called the contract "a ground breaking deal".

"[It] demonstrates our ability to provide real value to globally renowned, land-based gaming operators and their leading brands, as the first step in our strategy to capitalise on the regulated U.S. market," he said.

Optimal's share were up 6% in morning trading following the announcement.