888 Looking To Expand To The Midwest When The Time Is Right

• 888 offer sports betting in New Jersey but is looking to expand into other states as well.
• The company is looking at states attempting to pass all online gaming rather than just sports betting.
• Despite the continual sports betting expansion in the US, 888 has no desire to rush into a partnership.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With many of their competitors making a move into (or expanding throughout) the US online gambling market, 888 is Holdings is waiting for the right situation.

The company already has a strong presence in the online poker and casino industry in Nevada and New Jersey but is actively awaiting the next state to attempt to take over. Next on the minds of 888? A media partnership.

“We think there are a lot of alliances and partnerships being made very early on and we want to make sure the market settles,” said Yaniv Sherman, SVP of commercial development at 888.

Sherman is looking for a deal similar to what Fox Bet and The Stars Group have come to agree upon, where the highest benefit can be looked towards, taking away the focus from the potential risk.

“We tend to prioritize commitment over perceived value,” said Sherman.

Sherman detailed that 888 is looking to enter states that are considering an overall legalization of online gambling, rather than just online sports betting. This allows for a much greater market but situations like tax rates and the state’s population are the biggest influencers in making the agreements.

“States that will come along in the next few months will have potential,” said Sherman. “We’ve got Indiana, Colorado, Iowa, and Illinois now.”

Sherman’s main barrier though comes in the form of the Federal Wire Act. In an attempt to offer poker across state lines and allow for those players to join 888’s sports betting platform, the federal law may put a kibosh to the situation quickly. The Wire Act has undergone many public opinions and state attorney generals cannot seem to agree what constitutes as acceptable multi-state gambling and what doesn’t.

In the company’s future exists new platforms that will allow 888 to continue their US market share without the need for further expansion. Sherman is keen on waiting until the market opens up fully to ensure the best partnerships can be made for a long-term benefit.

Until then, expect 888 to continue offering one of the best online poker skins in the country until they can work around “all the regulatory requirements and sensitivities.”

News tags: 888 Holdings | Colorado | FOX Bet | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Nevada | New Jersey | The Stars Group | Wire Act | Yaniv Sherman