888, Caesars Reach US Gambling Deal

888 has taken another step toward positioning itself for the implementation of legal online gambling in the United States, signing a deal with Caesars Interactive Entertainment to expand their British software licensing agreement to the US.

In the event that either the US federal government or various state governments legalize and license online gambling, 888's independent B2B arm Dragonfish will be positioned to launch real money poker to the market almost immediately. Dragonfish will power a selection of Caesars' already-established poker brands for the online market.

888 has already submitted a license application to the Nevada Gaming Control Board. The Nevada Gaming Commission approved the commercial relationship between 888 and Caesars in 2010. The partnership between the two companies was first established in 2009, and has been growing ever since.

888 has taken a prudent approach to regulation, and this latest deal puts it and Dragonfish in "pole position for the US market," 888 Deputy Chairman Brian Mattingley said. He added that the deal gives the company a strong platform to roll out its cutting edge, turnkey solution to other potential partners once the market opens up.

Caesars were just as enthusiastic, with CEO Mitch Garber citing 888's success in driving the World Series of Poker brand in the UK for the past three years, and predicting that with current momentum toward federal or state-by-state regulation of online gaming, 888 is uniquely positioned to support either outcome.