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Poker chips are seen on a table as we examine Poker 8 upgrading its platform for New Jersey and Nevada.
Poker chips are seen on a table ready for use on Friday, April 28, 2023, at the Card House in Port St. Lucie. Photo by Tcn Adult Arcades 002 via Imagn.

WSOP.com players in Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan will finally get a crack at the award-winning and upgraded Poker 8 gaming platform, which will allow them to link up for games taking place with users from other states.

evoke plc, formerly known as 888 Holdings, has officially made available its updated platform to online poker enthusiasts in Nevada and New Jersey. It brings those states in line with what Michigan online casino users have been able to access for a couple of years and gives players in all three states a chance to play against each other.

“With a relentless focus on customer experience, our poker proposition has continually evolved and pushed the boundaries for online poker players globally for more than two decades,” said Jeffrey Haas, Chief Growth Officer at evoke, in a press release. “The latest poker platform upgrade in America will deliver superior gameplay experiences for players in Michigan, New Jersey and Nevada.”

Poker 8 becomes the first and only one of the legal real money online casinos in the U.S. that connects the three states and lets users in each access games from other jurisdictions.

The upgrades are said to have been a decade in the making, and the launch of the enhanced product coincides with the kickoff of the 55th World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, which began on May 28 with the main event spanning from July 3-6.

Poker 8 upgrades platform for NV, NJ

evoke has promised upgrades to its platform for some time now, and it's finally delivering in two of the biggest iGaming markets in the country: Nevada and New Jersey online casino. Having powered WSOP.com since 2013, a refresh was overdue for the product, as was an ability to initiate cross-state gaming opportunities.

evoke has claimed to make necessary upgrades to its software suite, which includes improved site’s graphics, smoother gameplay for its mobile casino apps, and improved load times for customers. It claims to have given users a better experience in terms of overall functioning of the site.

With the upgraded version of its Poker 8 platform, evoke has also managed to improve upon its player account management system with the goal of bettering the company’s customer relationship management goals.

Included in the launch of the upgraded Poker 8 platform is an opportunity for users in Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada to access multiple Texas Hold 'em games. Progressive Knockouts and Mystery Bounties are also part of the relaunched product.

Timing is everything for Poker 8

Poker’s profile increases dramatically every year at this time thanks to the kickoff of the legendary World Series of Poker. The timing of the expanded evoke and WSOP.com platform comes at a perfect time. 

“It’s a monumental day to bring this new product to market in time for the 2024 World Series of Poker," said Ty Stewart, Executive Director of World Series of Poker. "While we will always strive to offer the biggest tournaments in the industry year-round, this is the time when players can enjoy exclusive satellites, promotions, and online bracelet events.”

The next step will be to get the Pennsylvania online casino market in line with Michigan, New Jersey, and Nevada. Pennsylvania does have WSOP.com as part of its iGaming network, but it has yet to link it with other states. Look for a push in that direction in the coming months.