888casino
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 | |
| Industry | Gambling |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Gibraltar |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Online casino |
| Parent | Evoke plc |
| Website | 888casino.com |
888casino, formerly Casino-on-Net, is an online casino brand owned by Evoke plc. It was founded in 1997, and is headquartered in Gibraltar. It is one of the Internet's oldest casinos,[1] and in 2013 it became the first exclusively online casino to be licensed in the United States.[2]
Casino-on-Net was established by brothers Aaron and Avi Shaked along with partners Ron and Shay Ben-Yitzhaq, also two brothers, in 1997. Aaron Shaked claims to have come up with the idea of the online casino while attending a dentistry conference in Monte Carlo.[3][4] In 1994, the Free Trade & Processing Zone Act was passed in Antigua and Barbuda, opening the way for the development of legal online casinos.[5] Casino-on-Net was re-branded as 888casino in 2010 to unify the look and feel with other 888 brands.[6] By 2015 the site was licensed and operating in Gibraltar, New Jersey, Denmark, Spain and a number of other countries and territories.[7][8]
In 2015, Gaming Intelligence magazine described 888casino as "the only truly pan-European casino."[9]
In 2017, 888casino signed a deal to include slot games from Berlin-based Merkur Interactive Services GmbH, part of the Gauselmann Group.[10]
888casino has been awarded eCOGRA's Safe and Fair assurance seal.[11]
In 2021, 888casino stopped offering sports betting in New Jersey as it prepares to launch its regulated Sports Illustrated-branded sportsbook in the state. In 2024, the brand has officially left New Jersey market ceasing all operation in the area.[12]
On 9 September 2021, 888casino acquired William Hill International's European business from US owners Caesars Entertainment for a purchase price of £2.2 billion.[13][14]
Sponsorship
888casino has been involved in sponsorship of sporting events, teams and athletes, including as title sponsor of the 2013 World Seniors Championship in snooker, the New York Jets of the NFL, Dundalk FC, and title sponsor of the 2021 Portuguese motorcycle Grand Prix.[15]