As of March 2025, 888 Casino, a prominent online gambling platform, has undergone significant transformations and strategic shifts. U888 Here’s a comprehensive overview of the latest developments:
Rebranding to Evoke plc
In March 2024, 888 Holdings announced plans to rebrand as Evoke plc. This change reflects the company’s evolution into a multi-brand entity, especially after its acquisition of William Hill’s non-US assets in 2022. The rebranding aligns with the new CEO Per Widerström’s strategy to focus on core markets and leverage automation and artificial intelligence for operational efficiency.
Exit from the U.S. Market
Facing intense competition and high operational costs in the U.S., 888 initiated a strategic review of its U.S. B2C operations in March 2024. This led to the termination of its partnership with Authentic Brands Group, owner of Sports Illustrated, resulting in a $50 million expense for 888. Consequently, 888 ceased operations of 888casino and 888poker in New Jersey by June 2024, marking the first exit of an online poker platform from the state in nearly a decade.
Regulatory Challenges and Compliance
In March 2022, 888 UK Limited faced a £9.4 million fine from the UK Gambling Commission due to social responsibility and money laundering failings. The investigation highlighted issues such as inadequate identification of at-risk players and insufficient customer interactions. This was the second enforcement action against 888, following a £7.8 million penalty in 2017 for failing vulnerable customers.
Future Outlook
With the rebranding to Evoke plc and a renewed focus on core markets, 888 aims to streamline operations and enhance profitability. The company’s strategic decisions, including exiting less profitable markets and emphasizing automation, are geared towards sustainable growth in the evolving online gambling landscape.
These developments underscore 888 Casino’s adaptive strategies in response to market dynamics and regulatory landscapes, positioning itself for future challenges and opportunities.