888 signs US deal with Wynn Interactive
All American Poker Network agreement with Las Vegas-based casino operator follows launch of 888-powered WSOP in Nevada last week
Wynn Resorts has signed a partnership with 888’s B2C arm the All American Poker Network (AAPN) to launch a Wynn-branded online gaming offering in the regulated US egaming market.
The online arm of casino operator Wynn Resorts will launch its brands alongside 888.com in New Jersey and Nevada, with the AAPN supplying its poker, casino and back office platform.
The deal will also see Wynn pooling liquidity on the AAPN and comes a week after Caesars Interactive Entertainment launched the 888-powered World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Nevada last week.
The deal was described by AAPN executive chairman David Licht as an important step for the 888 subsidiary as it looks to expand its presence in the US online gaming market.
“AAPN is honoured to be selected by Wynn to be its online gaming partner,” he said. “The platform and ancillary services AAPN will offer through 888, coupled with Wynn’s marquee brand, which is synonymous with quality and trust, will further establish our offering in the forming US regulated online gaming market.”
The Delaware-incorporated AAPN was formed in March this year after 888 signed a joint venture agreement with investment firm Avenue Capital Group, and 888 CEO Brian Mattingley said Wynn is the perfect partner for the poker network.
“The challenge of establishing a robust, entertaining offering with ample player liquidity is one of our prime goals, in direct continuum to 888’s success in other regulated markets such as Spain and Italy,” he said. “Wynn’s market footprint and reputation will allow it to leverage our technology and products as it did so successfully in the land-based world.”
888 is expected to launch additional real-money online poker sites in the coming months including 888Poker under Las Vegas operator Treasure Island’s licence.
Last month Wynn Interactive filed for an egaming licence in New Jersey, two months after applying to become an online poker operator in Nevada.
The latest announcement comes over a year since Wynn Resorts originally announced a partnership with PokerStars which later collapsed following Black Friday.