888 Poker Enters Italian Gaming Market

888poker, the world’s second biggest online poker network, has kicked off the new year by launching an Italian-facing poker site. The operator’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) Itai Frieberger first announced the company’s plan to offer its product in Italy last September, and on January 3rd that goal became a reality, with Italian players now able to access the site via their desktops or apps on their Android or iOS devices.
The move also helps 888 Poker establish an all round presence in the country, having previously launched its casino and sports sites in Italy, both of which have already gained widespread popularity. Commenting upon the exciting development for Italian poker players, 888 CEO Itai Pazner stated that it was a natural step for 888 to offer its poker brand in the country so that Italian players could then enjoy all three gambling products on one site.
888 is also the only online gambling company to establish a presence in all three regulated U.S. states, namely New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware, with an entry into the Pennsylvanian market likely to follow when it eventually launches its newly legalized industry this year. In addition, the company is also hoping to take advantage of the European poker player sharing arrangement agreed between Italy, France, Spain and Portugal last year, and elaborating further, Pazner explained:
“The Italian market fits with our strategy to expand 888’s presence in regulated markets and strengthens our position for the forthcoming pooling of players across selected European markets.”
888 Poker is set to unleash its marketing campaign on Italian TV soon using the slogan “Il Gioco inizia adesso! meaning “Let the games begin!”, with its Italian site currently offering a range of bonuses to welcome customers. This includes Italian players being able to enter tournaments which offer packages for the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas this summer, with entry fees and travel expenses all included. In addition, the site will be hosting two freeroll tournaments each day offering prize pools of €2,500 a piece.