WMS Gaming and 888 Holdings form strategic alliance to provide online poker solutions for U.S. casino operators

LONDON & WAUKEGAN, Illinois -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- WMS Gaming Inc. today announced the formation of a strategic alliance with Dragonfish, the independent B2B (Business–to-Business) division of 888 Holdings plc (LSE:888).

Pursuant to the new alliance, WMS will market and distribute 888’s world-class online poker solution to land-based casino customers in legal venues in the United States, initially with a play-for-fun offering.

As real money online poker becomes regulated on a state-by-state or federal basis, the agreement enables the immediate launch of a real money offering as regulations are finalized and upon licensing by appropriate gaming authorities. By combining forces to address the domestic online poker market, WMS and 888 will provide a complete end-to-end solution allowing land-based casino operators to leverage and aggregate their respective customer databases, thereby building the large-scale pool of players to deliver optimal player engagement and enjoyment.


Through the agreement, WMS will offer domestic customers access to 888’s robust poker platform and applications, which feature a comprehensive suite of capabilities, including back office functionality and associated administrative, transaction, compliance, operational and other related support services.

WMS will serve as the exclusive provider of 888’s online poker solution to casino operators in the United States, with certain limited contractual exceptions. In addition, the agreement facilitates the creation of an interoperable platform that will enable an integrated experience between 888’s online poker solutions and WMS’ online casino solutions incorporating WMS gaming content and capabilities, providing for play-for-fun applications and appropriate wagering solutions.

Earlier this year, both 888 and WMS submitted applications to Nevada’s State Gaming Control Board for interactive gaming licenses in the State of Nevada.