Want to see more about 888 Holdings’ future? Are you also a fan of DWG, the US-based land-based, social and iGaming developer? (Image Courtesy of designworksgaming.com)
With the reverse acquisition of William Hill International, in the rear-view mirror, 888 Holdings is looking ahead to what has the potential to be the company’s most successful stint in the gambling industry.
To help with the task ahead, the company 888 appointed Randy Freer, Andria Vidler and Andrea Gisle Joosen to the board as non-execs. The London stock exchange-listed PLC also has plans to appoint Ori Shaked at some point. However, the report does not state exactly when it will confirm the fourth appointment.
Andrea Gisle Joosen has previous experience working with Twentieth Century Fox, a huge brand that needs no introduction. Also in Sweden, Boxer TV and then Chantelle Group as well as Panasonic in the Nordics region. However, her most noteworthy experience is her time spent as a non-executive director for the Mr Green platform.
Andria Vidler also has experience in iGaming working with Gamesys in a non-executive position. Randy Freer will be learning the ropes in the online gambling business, as this is his first non-exec position. Meanwhile, Ori Shaked’s appointment is at the request of 888 Holding’s biggest shareholder – Sinitus Nominees Limited. His experience as a game producer and as an early stage investor in gaming and blockchain start-ups is something 888 Holdings will surely want to capitalise on.
The mammoth task ahead includes managing the retail sector of William Hill International betting stores in the UK and Ireland, as well as its online gambling platforms. The latter includes the Mr Green online casino, William Hill online casino, online sportsbooks, and online poker. FYI – The deal does not include William Australia as the company merged with BetEasy back in August 2018.
Also, 888 Holdings will not run the US William Hill brand. This side of the business now operates under a separate entity – Caesars Entertainment Inc, which is the company that sold William Hill International to 888 Holdings. The business strategy behind the sale was so Caesars can concentrate on the US market only. The company also sold its entire non-William assets.
Although 888 Holdings have less to manage with the Australia and US William Hill business side running different companies, that does not mean 888’s mission to continue William Hill’s success is going to be a walk in the park. However, if any company can make a success out of such an opportunity, it is 888 Holding.
To date, its operations in multiple verticals under the 888-brand name are an immense success. The brand name 888 on its own brings trust, respect, and professionalism to the mind; a brand image most companies in any industry would kill for. Well maybe not, by you get the gist. On top of this, 888 Holding’s brands operate both North American and European operations, while there is an arm of 888 Holdings in Africa – 888Africa – although a separate entity.
888 Holdings Structure: See my previous news report covering the 888 Holdings company structure. It covers each position in the company after CEO Ulrik Bengtsson and CFO Eric Hageman stepped down.
Will 888 Holding’s WH Acquisition make or break the firm?
I understand there are always going to be pessimists out there. And they are good for society because they can bring you down to earth. However, I just don’t see the point of view of those that say 888 Holdings has bitten off more than it can chew. I say on the contrary. As I mentioned, the company has a stellar brand image. It has bought another bigger company with a slightly different brand image, but also a stellar one at that.
My Prediction: The William Hill reverse acquisition acquisition will make 888 Holdings a stronger brand. And most people in the iGaming and sports betting industry will agree. 888 Holdings has all the experience it needs. And I am going to go one step further and suggest that we are about to see a new William Hill brand come through, and 888 Holdings will likely become the number one gambling company on the LSE.
Design Works Gaming (DWG) Now Available at 888 Casino
The DWG software provider is now available at 888Casino. The casino game developer comes fresh out of Arizona and is already active in the Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Michigan stateside iGaming market as well as in the Canadian online casino market via an iGaming Ontario (iGO) licence. Its portfolio is no joke either, with over 500 game titles across 5 DWG-operated social casinos. The company also has over 1,000 casino games on cabinets across the US land-based casino industry, which it has operated since 2005.
Some of the brand’s top online slots include Hold Your Horses, Flippin Rich LuckyTap™, Double Fancy 7’s, Tiger Palace, Wild Empire, and more. DWG also holds MGA, UKGC and GRA iGaming licensing. With these licences in place, 888Casino will host DWG casino game titles across its UK and MGA licences casinos.
DWG recently made a deal with Mr Green Casino, which is now under the 888 Holding brand. For the full report on the 888Csasino deal, check out the DWG news release here.
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