ne payments firm Optimal Payments have appointed Thomas Auriemma as a strategic advisor for the US.

The former director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) will provide strategic and regulatory advice on current and future US state regulation with regard to the online gaming payments industry.

As well as his DGE tenure from 2002 to 2007, Auriemma was also deputy director of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission's legal division.

He has served as the secretary, vice chair and chair of the International Association of Gaming Regulators and is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors and the International Masters of Gaming Law, as well as the Compliance Committee of Penn National Gaming, where he previously served as vice president/chief compliance officer.

Optimal Payments president and CEO Joel Leonoff said: “Thomas’s expertise and experience in the gaming industry will further strengthen our position as a leader among payment providers for the online gaming industry.

“We look forward to his guidance as we expand our reach across the US.”

Auriemma added: “Optimal Payments has extensive expertise to offer state gaming regulators as they navigate the issues online gaming presents."