Earlier this week, betting behemoth 888 revealed its successful transition into evoke, a rebranding initiative designed to suitably represent its multi-brand operating strategy and its mission to provide top-notch entertainment.
The gaming titan is currently preparing to withdraw from New Jersey due to its decision to terminate the 888poker platform within the state as of June 3.
888 Holdings plc has confirmed that the 888casino NJ app will also be removed from digital app platforms.
WSOP Continues Operations in the Garden State
However, this withdrawal does not signify the conclusion of World Series of Poker (WSOP)within the state.
As stated earlier this week, WSOP will maintain its presence and operations within New Jersey.
In unison, the exit of 888poker will not affect the planned tri-state cooperative anticipated to manage live online poker rooms for WSOP players based in three different states.
Put simply, WSOP NJ will move forward to synchronize gamers in the Garden State with their counterparts in Nevada and Michigan via a common software platform sometime in the future.
In February, 888 Holdings expressed plans to divest its US gaming assets to Hard Rock Digital, the sport gaming technology entity owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
This decision stemmed from 888’s plan to consolidate its global gaming portfolio and concurrently scale back its casino and poker operations within North America.
The subsequent month, it was reported that 888poker held a mere two-thirds of 1% of the online poker market within the state.
NJ Poker Players in Search of New Options
The Garden State experienced a loss of an online poker provider for the first time in nearly 10 years.
Considering the stagnant growth of the online poker industry for the past ten years and the unlikely integration of poker into the NJ platform by Hard Rock Bet, gamers are forced to seek substitute providers.
Hard Rock Bet is set to acquire some of 888’s gaming assets.
Customers of 888poker and 888casino are required to complete all withdrawals from their accounts by June 3.
Failure to do so will result in 888 issuing cheques for the outstanding sums over the following months.
New Jersey is among the six states that have legalized online poker, with only three of these states currently involved with WSOP.
In addition, Ontario provides live dealer poker services as well.
Just last week, 888 announced that it had successfully set the price of its senior secured notes at £400 million marking the commencement of 888 Acquisitions Limited’s entry into the GBP debt capital market.
