888 Poker Enters Partnership with American Gaming Firm

Over the last few years, 888 Poker has become one of the largest online poker rooms in all of Europe. Now, a new deal could give the company the opportunity to offer real money online poker to at least some residents in the United States, too.

888 Holdings – the parent company of 888 Poker – announced Sunday that they had reached an agreement with WMS Gaming, a slot machine supplier based in the USA. The partnership will allow 888 to combine their proprietary poker software with WMS Gaming's American presence to offer poker to players in the United States.

At first, these games will only be available in play money mode. However, the two companies hope that by working together, they'll be put in excellent position to take advantage of any legislation that might be passed in the United States – either at the federal level or on a state-by-state basis.

In fact, this process is already underway. Both 888 Holdings and WMS have already applied for licenses to operate online gambling sites in Nevada. Although neither company has yet had their application considered, it's likely that state regulators will consider most applications over the next few months. The first online poker sites are expected to go live in early 2025.

Executives at 888 emphasized that the partnership would draw on the strengths of both companies.

"The combination of 888's cutting edge online poker platform and WMS' customer relationships, marketing and distribution capabilities provides the opportunity to build a substantial online presence," said 888 CEO Brian Mattingley.

This isn't the first time that 888 poker has looked to make a move across the pond. Last year, 888 made an agreement with Caesars Entertainment that would have the two companies partner in online poker ventures both around the world and in the USA.

According to pokerscout, 888 Poker is currently the fourth-largest online poker site in the world, trailing only PokerStars, Party Poker and the iPoker Network.