The Telegraph – Brian Mattingley said that as the online gaming market in the US liberalises state by state, 888 plans to follow upcoming launches in Nevada, New Jersey and Delaware by moving into California, New York and Florida.
888 – which runs online poker, casino, bingo and sports betting services primarily in the UK and Europe – was forced out of the US in 2006 after an online gambling crackdown, but the market has slowly opened up.
Regulatory difficulties have held up plans, which Mr Mattingley admitted was “frustrating”. However, he said a tie-up with Las Vegas hotel Caesars is expected to go live “imminently”, and that he hopes Delaware and New Jersey will follow in the next six months.
Mr Mattingley set out his plans as 888 revealed a 41pc rise in first-half profit before tax to $35.5m (£22.9m), as more players used its poker and casino games on smartphones and tablets.
“It really is new territory for them [the US regulators],” he said. “It’s been a long slow journey but it’s getting faster.
“There are now nine more states considering [legalising online poker]. California is beyond doubt the biggest prize, and between California, New York, New Jersey and Florida that’s 50pc of the potential market.”
Shares fell 1.3pc to 143.1p.
Irish bookmaker Paddy Power unveiled a 12pc rise in first-half profit to €77m (£66m) yesterday but warned that a weak Australian dollar and new gambling taxes in the UK and Ireland will slow the group’s growth.
