888 Holdings Eyeing New Markets, This Time Ontario

Embattled iGaming operator 888 Holdings is the newest entrant to the Ontario gambling industry. Players in this Canadian province will have the chance to enjoy their favorite mobile casino games, including the latest mobile roulette and mobile poker, among other gambling options. This is on both desktops, mobile web browsers, and iOS/Android apps.

AGCO Licensing

888 Holdings is licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), an Ontario Crown agency mandated with overseeing alcohol, gaming, and horse racing sectors. 888 Holdings joins PointsBet, Rivalry Corp., and theScore, adding to the list of companies that AGCO has licensed. 

The trio promises to offer plenty of offers, including mobile casino bonuses. Welcome bonuses will be in plenty now that the focus is on customer acquisition.

The company's CEO, Itai Pazner, showed his delight in this breakthrough, reiterating the company's mission to spread wings to more regulated gambling industries. He confirmed that 888 Holdings would waste no time. It will be in business as soon as Ontario's regulated gambling market is open, as from 4 April 2022.

Ontario Gambling Market

Ontario will be the first Canadian province to operate a private market and is poised to be among the biggest markets in North America. While gambling had been illegal, many unregulated gambling websites were still in operation. The new move to open the market has faced many objections, but finally, gambling companies have the last laugh, as the Ontario gambling market is open.

Sports Betting, Online Casino and Poker

888 Holdings announced that they would be hitting the fresh Ontario mobile gaming market with three popular products. First is 888 Casino, which will offer players a wide range of games ranging from the latest software-generated games to authentic live dealer games. 

This is alongside the company's coveted mobile casino games that can be played on mobile browsers. Also hitting the scene will be 888poker, one of the best online poker rooms today. Finally, they have 888sport, their dedicated sportsbook known for horse track betting and sports betting markets with some of the highest odds around.

However, there was no mention of any bingo sites operated by 888 Holdings.

Against All Odds

888 Holdings, despite all odds, has continued to venture into new markets. The company was recently fined by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) a whopping £9.4 million for charges related to violations of its social responsibility duties and money laundering across several of its brands.

 In 2017, the company was also in the limelight when it was fined £7.8m for failing to protect vulnerable gamblers, including mobile casino fans.

Despite these allegations, the company serves over 19 regulated markets, including seven states in the United States. In the recent news, 888 Holdings, one of the leading iGaming companies globally, saw a 14% increase in revenue in 2021. Interestingly, the conglomerate revealed that it purchased William Hill International, a top operator, for £2.2 billion.

Expansion to New Markets, a Key Driver

The growth of 888 Holdings can be attributed to its expansion into new regulated markets. Besides Canada, the company has also expanded to several other states in the United States, including Delaware, New Jersey, and Nevada.