888 Holdings has agreed to a multi-year extension of its exclusive B2B poker partnership with Caesars Interactive Entertainment, in a deal which sees 888 continue to power the World Series of Poker (WSOP)-branded online poker offering.
Caesars will continue to utilize 888’s turnkey poker platform and services in the US, for its mobile and desktop versions of the WSOP online poker rooms.
The partnership will also see 888 continue to power the US market’s only interstate shared-player liquidity poker network across the states of New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada, increasing the availability of poker games and formats for customers across these states. Earlier this month, Michigan legalised inter-state poker, opening the possibility that it joins the network.
Through the agreement, 888 will also launch its next generation poker software, “Poker 8”, in the US, after launching in Europe in November. The operator said the software offers a significant advancement in user experience, including new graphics and animations and features such as multi-day and multi-flight tournaments.
In addition to powering the WSOP poker brand, 888 will also continue to supply its proprietary casino platform and content to Caesars’ online casino brands, Harrah’s and the World Series of Poker Casino in New Jersey.
888 said the agreement would enable it to gain a presence in new jurisdictions across the US where Caesars already holds a license to operate, such as Pennsylvania.
Yaniv Sherman, senior vice president and head of US for 888, said: “Our partnership with Caesars has been powering the hugely popular WSOP brand online since 2013 and we are looking forward to continuing this relationship for many years to come.”
“We are also excited at the prospect of adding new states to our unique interstate poker network in 2021 and beyond, which we believe would drive a significant increase in liquidity for poker players on the 888 platform.”
“Our extended relationship will also enable 888 to gain a presence in new U.S states following the required regulatory approvals, which presents an important opportunity in our long-term development strategy for the U.S. market.”
Ty Stewart, executive director of the WSOP and SVP of Caesars Interactive Entertainment, added: “We’re proud of the success story to date, particularly the record-setting tournament events of 2020, and are optimistic about the future of real money online poker in the U.S.”
Last week, 888 Holdings said it expected revenue and earnings before interest, tax, depreciations and amortisation (EBITDA) for 2020 to come in “moderately ahead of expectations” following record revenue in December 2020.
It said the growing revenues stemmed from a strong record of new customer acquisition that began in late 2019. In addition, it said new products and an increased shift to online due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) contributed to generating the growth.