888casino and 888poker Exit New Jersey Market
After a two-week delay from the initially announced shutdown date of June 3rd, 888casino and 888poker have officially ceased operations in New Jersey.
While new deposits were halted 30 days before the closure, players were able to use their remaining account balances to place bets until the final shutdown.
Organizational Shifts at Evoke plc
The closure of 888casino and 888poker in New Jersey is part of a broader reorganization at evoke plc, the parent company of the 888 brands. In March, evoke plc rebranded as part of a strategic review, marking a significant transition for the company.
As part of this strategic realignment, evoke plc sold its US operations to Hard Rock Digital. Consequently, the 888casino and 888poker websites are now directing players to sign up with Hard Rock Bet. Additionally, the company’s Sports Illustrated (SI) Casino and Sportsbook are also expected to close within the next 18 months, indicating further streamlining of evoke’s US presence.
Launch of Poker 8 Platform
Despite the shutdowns, evoke plc continues to support its other US poker product, Poker 8. The Poker 8 platform, which launched in New Jersey on May 31st, is also available in Pennsylvania and Michigan. This platform allows players to join games and compete with others from these states, expanding the player pool and enhancing the overall gaming experience with more cash games, tournaments, and larger prize pools.
Jeffrey Haas, evoke’s Chief Growth Officer, has expressed optimism about the potential of the Poker 8 platform. In a statement, he said, “The latest poker platform upgrade in America will deliver superior gameplay experiences for players in Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. Poker is a game of liquidity and network effects, and our Poker 8 upgrade will be a catalyst for expansion.”
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