US Insight
Key Takeaways
  • A change in ownership at 888 could impact online gaming operations stateside.
  • The Restoration of America’s Wire Act—a bill that would ban most online gambling in the US and was first introduced in Congress last year—has been reintroduced by US Representative Jason Chaffetz.
  • Figures released by the Delaware Lottery show revenues from online poker remaining steady while revenues from online casino games have dropped more than 26%.
  • The major sports leagues are the main opposition to New Jersey legalizing sports betting in the state. However, it seems that the leagues may now be starting to warm up to the idea.
  • The proposed legislation in the state of Washington to legalize online poker has been taken off the table for this legislative session.

888 Takeover

A possible takeover of 888 Holdings by William Hill could have an impact on regulated online poker markets within the US. 888 currently operates its All American Poker Network in both Delaware and New Jersey. It also supplies the software to WSOP.com which operates in New Jersey and Nevada.

888 is also set to launch its own online poker room in Nevada and provide its software to Treasure Island this year, following which it is expected to share player liquidity with its operations in Delaware.