J
osé Maymó Azize was appointed by former Governor Ricardo Rosselló Nevares when the Puerto Rican Gaming Commission was created. Most sources cite Antonio Rivera, who has a longstanding career in the local casino industry, as the most solid option to replace him.
The Executive Director is responsible for overseeing the gambling and horse racing industries on the island; that is why one of the sectors that work closely with the commission is the “Horse Racing Jury”, a body in charge of supervising live races.
Wilfredo Lozano, president of the Horse Racing Jury, has said the body is in no rush for the appointment of a new Executive Director since they have fluid communication with Rivera Emmanuelli.
“They will announce it when the time is right. Jaime is very professional and reliable; if we have a problem, we go directly to him,” Lozano said.
In addition to overseeing the Horse Racing Jury, the executive director has the last word in horse racing decisions. For instance, it was the executive director who set the date for the resumption of horse racing operations and live races when Covid-19 restrictions were in place.
Camarero Racetrack Inc., the company that operates the racetrack, on the other hand, does look forward to the appointment:
“We are in a rush because we have to deal with important topics that need a follow-up. We need the appointment to occur. The horse racing industry is very dynamic, and many issues relating to horses, their owners, and caretakers arise quite frequently,” President Ervin Rodríguez.
