888 Poker will soon be launching for players in New Jersey. The state recently passed in-state gambling legislation that allows online poker sites to apply for licenses to legally operate within their borders. 888 Holdings is simply one of the first to get all its ducks in a row.
The other two states that have moved ahead with legal intrastate gambling are Delaware and Nevada. 888 plans to set up shop in both of these states as well, but made the decision to start with New Jersey as it saw that state as the one with the most potentially lucrative market.
CEO of 888 Holdings, Brian Mattingley, would not comment on the company’s marketing budget for this New Jersey launch, but he did say that current annual gaming revenue forecasts from its New Jersey operations are $450 million.
888 will also be making its poker and casino software available to Caesars Interactive Entertainment to offer players at its land-based properties in states that have passed gambling legislation like New Jersey, including promising to open up a brand new 888 branded Caesar’s online poker room and casino in New Jersey.
Meanwhile last quarter from all its operations combined 888 reported a $97 million revenue, $22 million of which came from poker.
The 8 other Atlantic City Casinos have all signed partnerships with online gaming companies and will soon be following in 888 and Caesar’s joint footsteps. Atlantic Club Casino and the Revel Casino have yet to announce their online gaming partners, but the others have, and they are as follows:
Borgata/Boyd Gaming with bwin.party
Golden Nugget with Bally Technologies
Resorts Casino Club with Poker Stars
Tropicana with Gamesys
Trump Plaza with Betfair
Trump Taj Mahal with Ultimate Poker