For years, 888poker has been a household name in the online poker industry, attracting millions of players from around the world. However, its journey in the United States has been far from smooth, with a long and tortured history that has seen the company face numerous challenges and setbacks.
The saga of 888poker in the US began in 2006 when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) was passed, effectively banning online gambling in the country. This forced 888poker, along with many other online poker operators, to withdraw from the US market, leaving American players without access to their favorite poker games.
Despite the obstacles, 888poker continued to operate in other countries and worked tirelessly to find a way back into the US market. In 2013, the company made a breakthrough when it partnered with Caesars Interactive Entertainment to launch WSOP.com, an online poker site that offered real money games to players in Nevada. This marked 888poker’s official return to the US market after seven years of absence.
However, the success was short-lived as legal challenges and regulatory hurdles continued to plague 888poker’s operations in the US. In 2014, the company faced a major setback when it was forced to pull out of the Delaware market due to regulatory issues. This was followed by a similar exit from the New Jersey market in 2018, further limiting 888poker’s presence in the US.
Despite these setbacks, 888poker has not given up on its quest to establish a permanent foothold in the US. In recent years, the company has been actively seeking partnerships with land-based casinos and other gaming operators in states where online gambling is legal, such as Pennsylvania and Michigan. These strategic partnerships have allowed 888poker to re-enter and expand its presence in the US market, albeit on a limited scale.
Looking ahead, 888poker faces a challenging road ahead as it navigates the complex and ever-changing landscape of online gambling in the US. With legal and regulatory barriers still in place, the company will need to continue to adapt and innovate in order to succeed in this highly competitive market.
Despite the challenges and setbacks, 888poker remains determined to conquer the US market and provide American players with a top-notch online poker experience. Only time will tell if the company can overcome its long and tortured history in the US and emerge victorious in the highly competitive online gambling industry.
