888.com plans on opening a sports betting site

[bigboydan]

Looks like there going to do what partygaming did not too long ago. I can't say it's a bad idea at all, because it's a new way to create new revenue.

888.com plan sports betting

888.com, one of the leading online casino and poker rooms, is planning to add a sportsbook to its products by early next year, according to Gigi Levy, 888.com CEO.

Levy was speaking to Reuters at the European i-Gaming (EiG) conference in Barcelona and also revealed that 888 have their next acquisition target in theirs sites.

It is thought that 888 are set to announce a venture with Rank Group’s Blue Square.

"We expect to launch (sports betting) in the first country by the end of this year or the beginning of next," Gigi Levy told Reuters EiG conference.

"The UK is our biggest market but we also have Seville.”

888.com were hit hard by the US’s crackdown on internet gambling and have been seeking consolidation and shifting their focus elsewhere ever since it’s introduction.

Levy went on to continue to state that another deal will be announced by the end of the year.

[rm18]

Are U.S. players welcome? Im not a poker guy at all.

[pico]

Are U.S. players welcome? Im not a poker guy at all.

no

[bigboydan]

Are U.S. players welcome? Im not a poker guy at all.

No they do not RM as Pico mentioned above.

I look for this company to be comparable to Partybets (party gaming) in regards to there rules go. I'm sure TeddyKGB will love it if are those types of rules they use.

[20Four7]

If they go the party bets route, low limits 20 cent mlb lines. They only thing it did have going for it was slow moving lines. I know a few times I did a max bet for $300 or so they then pulled the game and re evalutated what the line should be.

[prop]

They already slow pay on their casino and get plenty of complaints with bonuses being removed and stall tactics to get people to gamble more.
I wonder if they might end up being more comparable to Sporting Bet than to Party Gaming.

[pico]

888 is one of stanley ho's places. he owns the Lisboa in macau, and a triad boss. Lisbao is one of those typical mob casinos....gaudy interrior, run by the wise guys...a lot of shady deals goes inside the casino and the hotel rooms. If you're a corrupt politician from the neiborghing countries, they treat you like a king...girls and drugs are served like hot cakes there.

as you all know how those offshore wise guys books turn out, 888 looks pretty well funded, but with traid control, expect them to use any shady tactics to get your money. they might pay you to keep a descent reputation, but don't expect them to follow the rules of a legit bookie.

just a head up. if you ever go to macau, i suggest avoid any stanley ho casinos, and just visit Wynn, Venetician, or Sands. (you'll see a big difference: smoky dark gambling pit vs vegas stripe style)

[diglett]

Stanley Ho is supposed to be involved with a site called DrHo888.com, but I don't believe he has anything to do with the 888.com/Pacific Poker/Casino On Net group.

[bigboydan]

Anyone test the waters their as of yet... If so I'd love to hear how they are in regards to the customer service.

888.COM'S ITALIAN ONLINE SPORTSBOOK GOES LIVE

Online gambling giant enters the Internet sportsbetting arena

888.com CEO Gigi Levy hinted at it in his opening address to the EiG conference in Barcelona recently, and this week it has come to fruition - the entry of the Gibraltar-based online gambling giant into the Internet sportsbook arena in Italy.

The new Italian website started taking bets this week, and is part of a longer term expansion strategy reports the Reuters news agency, quoting Levy as saying: "It will boost revenues but it will also build customer numbers so we are in a good position next year when skill games we are strong in, like poker, are allowed."

Analysts estimated that the sports betting site could bring in revenue of around GBP 2.46 million ($5 million) to $10 million in 2008.

Levy added that the Italian market would be one of the firm's big areas of focus over the next two years.

Under the influence of European lawmakers, Italy is slowly opening up its gambling market and despite originally opposing Internet betting, the Italian government has since said it will allow games of skill.

Firms are waiting to find out what will fall under the term "skill game" as opposed to a "game of chance", with analysts putting their money on poker tournaments being approved but a ban kept on one-off games. The Italians are expected to have finalised a firm definition before the end of 2007.

[Maledetto]

Anyone test the waters their as of yet... If so I'd love to hear how they are in regards to the customer service.

Dan, CS-wise I hear they are working late night past 00:00h atleast through the launching window with phone support, I don't know when that'll end. I can get to an affiliates rep fairly quick so in that dept. they are doing good. I tested them emailing a Q that wouldn't require generic response at 02:23 and got answered in less than 25 min, so I guess they are doing some effort.

Maybe after the weekend somebody will have a bettor's perspective.

[Maledetto]

888 is one of stanley ho's places. he owns the Lisboa in macau, and a triad boss. Lisbao is one of those typical mob casinos....gaudy interrior, run by the wise guys...a lot of shady deals goes inside the casino and the hotel rooms. If you're a corrupt politician from the neiborghing countries, they treat you like a king...girls and drugs are served like hot cakes there.

as you all know how those offshore wise guys books turn out, 888 looks pretty well funded, but with traid control, expect them to use any shady tactics to get your money. they might pay you to keep a descent reputation, but don't expect them to follow the rules of a legit bookie.

just a head up. if you ever go to macau, i suggest avoid any stanley ho casinos, and just visit Wynn, Venetician, or Sands. (you'll see a big difference: smoky dark gambling pit vs vegas stripe style)

diglett is right picoman, 888 has nothing to do with Ho's Enterprise from Macau.

[althelegend]

888.com already owns a betting exchange - Betmate - so I suppose a sportsbook is a natural extension of their business.

[bigboydan]

Dan, CS-wise I hear they are working late night past 00:00h atleast through the launching window with phone support, I don't know when that'll end. I can get to an affiliates rep fairly quick so in that dept. they are doing good. I tested them emailing a Q that wouldn't require generic response at 02:23 and got answered in less than 25 min, so I guess they are doing some effort.

Maybe after the weekend somebody will have a bettor's perspective.

Thank you for posting this info for me sir.

Tis appreciated

[bigboydan]

888.com already owns a betting exchange - Betmate - so I suppose a sportsbook is a natural extension of their business.

I knew about there exchange before, because somebody inquired via Email me about 2 months ago about there commission fees.