Earlier this week, 888 Holdings announced its rebranding to Evoke, a move designed to better reflect its multi-brand operating model and its commitment to delivering top-tier entertainment. Following this change, the company is preparing to exit the New Jersey market by shutting down its 888poker platform there on June 3. Additionally, the 888casino NJ app will also be removed from online stores.
Despite these changes, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) will continue to operate in New Jersey. This decision ensures that the WSOP NJ will still be able to link players in New Jersey with those in Nevada and Michigan using the same software platform in the future, as part of a planned tri-state cooperative.
This exit comes in the wake of 888 Holdings’ decision in February to sell its U.S. gaming assets to Hard Rock Digital, a technology company owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This sale is part of 888’s broader strategy to reorganize its global gaming holdings and reduce its casino and poker operations in North America. Following this strategy shift, 888poker captured just 0.67% of New Jersey’s online poker market share last month.
The withdrawal from New Jersey marks a significant moment as it has been nearly a decade since the state last saw an online poker provider exit. With the online poker market in New Jersey remaining relatively dormant over the past ten years and little prospect of Hard Rock Bet introducing poker on its NJ platform, players are now seeking alternative options.
Hard Rock Bet is set to acquire some of 888’s gaming assets. Customers of 888poker and 888casino in New Jersey are advised to withdraw all funds from their accounts by June 3. After this deadline, any remaining balances will be returned to customers via checks in the following months.
New Jersey remains one of six states that have legalized online poker, with only three of these states currently participating in the WSOP network. Ontario also continues to offer live dealer poker options.
Additionally, last week 888 Holdings successfully priced its senior secured notes at £400 million, marking the first issuance by 888 Acquisitions Limited into the GBP debt capital market.
