888poker to exit New Jersey online gambling market in June

888 Holdings has announced that it will shut down its 888poker online platform in New Jersey on June 3, 2024, as part of a broader strategic realignment of its business. The closure will also extend to the 888casino NJ app, marking the latest exit from the Garden State's online gambling market.

Despite this exit, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) will continue its operations in New Jersey. The planned tri-state cooperative, which includes New Jersey, Michigan, and Nevada, remains on track. This initiative aims to synchronize player pools across these states, allowing for a unified online poker experience.

The decision to withdraw from New Jersey was anticipated following 888 Holdings' February announcement of selling its U.S. gaming assets to Hard Rock Digital, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This move aligns with 888's strategy to concentrate its gaming operations in other global markets while reducing its footprint in North America.

888poker's performance in New Jersey has been lackluster, contributing a mere 0.006% of the state's online poker revenue since January 2024, totaling just $47,954. PartyPoker has reported the next-lowest revenue at $532,872 in the same period. In March, 888poker held only about 0.67% of New Jersey's online poker market.

Players currently using 888poker and 888casino NJ have been advised to withdraw their funds by June 3. Any remaining balances will be refunded by check in the subsequent months.

Hard Rock Digital, which is acquiring 888's U.S. assets, does not plan to introduce online poker to its platform in New Jersey. This marks the first exit of an online poker operator in New Jersey since September 2014, when Ultimate Poker and Betfair ceased operations linked to Trump-branded casinos in Atlantic City.

New Jersey is one of the six states with a legal online poker market in the US. The continued presence of WSOP ensures that players in New Jersey will still have robust online poker options despite 888poker's departure.