888 Holdings PLC

888 Holdings PLC (now operating as evolution Group following its 2022 rebrand) is one of the world's longest-established online gaming companies, founded in 1997 and headquartered in Gibraltar. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, 888 operates a portfolio of iconic online gaming brands including 888 Casino, 888poker, 888sport, William Hill (acquired in 2022), and Mr Green across regulated markets worldwide.

888 is widely recognized as a pioneer of online gaming, having launched its first online casino in 1997 — among the very first in the industry. The flagship 888 Casino brand is one of the most recognized online casino brands globally, with over 25 million registered players. 888poker is one of the world's largest online poker rooms, and the group's proprietary poker network hosts cash games, tournaments, and the popular 888poker XL series.

888 is licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and regulators in Spain, Romania, Ireland, Sweden, and selected US states (New Jersey, Michigan). The group is known for its proprietary casino platform, in-house poker software, and commitment to responsible gambling through its award-winning Control Center and partnerships with GamCare and GAMSTOP.

888 Casino

The flagship 888 Casino brand is one of the world's most recognized online casinos, offering over 2,500 slots, table games, and live casino titles. It operates on 888's proprietary casino platform, featuring exclusive 888-branded live casino tables, progressive jackpot slots, and a daily jackpot system. 888 Casino has won multiple EGR Casino Operator of the Year awards.

888poker

888poker is one of the world's largest online poker rooms, operating on 888's proprietary poker software (one of the few operators with in-house poker technology). The platform offers cash games, tournaments, sit-and-gos, and the popular 888poker XL (XL Series) tournament series with multi-million-dollar guarantees. 888poker is known for its amateur-friendly environment, webcam poker tables, and innovative features like BLAST Poker (lottery sit-and-gos).

888sport

888sport offers sports betting across 30+ sports, including football, horse racing, tennis, basketball, and US sports. Features include in-play betting, cash-out, bet builder, and live streaming of selected events. The sportsbook is powered by a combination of Kambi and in-house technology.

William Hill (Acquired 2022)

888 acquired the international (non-US) business of William Hill from Caesars Entertainment in 2022 for £2.2 billion, adding approximately 1,400 UK retail betting shops and the William Hill online brand to its portfolio. This transformed 888 into a hybrid retail-online operator and the UK's largest retail bookmaker.

Mr Green

Mr Green is a Scandinavian-focused online casino brand acquired by William Hill (and now part of 888) in 2019, targeting Sweden, Denmark, Finland, and Germany. It is known for its distinctive brand identity, "Green Gaming" responsible gambling tools, and strong mobile experience.

US Operations (888 / SI Sportsbook)

888 operates in the US under the 888 and SI Sportsbook (Sports Illustrated) brands in New Jersey and Michigan, licensed by state gaming regulators. The US business has faced challenges and 888 has announced strategic review of its US B2C operations in 2024.

1997 — Foundation

888 was founded in 1997 by brothers Avi and Aaron Shaked and Shay and Ron Ben-Yitzhak as Virtual Holdings Limited, launching Casino-on-Net — one of the world's first online casinos. The business grew rapidly through the late 1990s and early 2000s as online gaming gained mainstream adoption.

2002 — 888poker Launch

888 launched its online poker room, Pacific Poker (later rebranded 888poker), powered by proprietary in-house poker software. The launch established 888 as one of the few operators with its own poker technology.

2005 — IPO on London Stock Exchange

888 Holdings PLC was listed on the London Stock Exchange, raising capital to fund international expansion. The IPO valued the company at approximately £500 million.

2006-2010 — Geographic Expansion

Following the US UIGEA legislation in 2006, 888 exited the US market and focused on regulated European markets, obtaining licenses in Gibraltar, Malta, and the UK. The company expanded its brand portfolio and launched 888sport and 888bingo.

2013 — US Re-Entry (New Jersey)

888 re-entered the US market through a partnership with Caesars Entertainment, launching online casino and poker in New Jersey under the 888 brand — one of the first operators live in the regulated US market.

2018 — Mr Green Acquisition (via William Hill)

William Hill (later acquired by 888) acquired Mr Green for €313 million, adding the Scandinavian online casino brand to the group's portfolio.

2022 — William Hill Acquisition

888 acquired the international (non-US) business of William Hill from Caesars Entertainment for £2.2 billion, transforming 888 into a hybrid retail-online operator with approximately 1,400 UK betting shops and the iconic William Hill brand.

2022 — Evolution Group Rebrand

888 Holdings rebranded as evolution Group to reflect its expanded portfolio following the William Hill acquisition, though the 888 brand remains prominent across its digital products.

2023-2024 — Integration & Strategic Review

The group has focused on integrating William Hill's retail and online operations with 888's proprietary platform, while conducting a strategic review of its US B2C operations. The company has invested in platform migration, responsible gambling enhancements, and cost optimization.

888 Holdings (evolution Group) is committed to responsible gambling across all its brands and jurisdictions, with a long-standing reputation for industry-leading player protection.

888 Control Center

888's proprietary Control Center is an award-winning responsible gambling dashboard that gives players full control over their gaming activity. Features include deposit limits, loss limits, wager limits, session time limits, self-exclusion, reality checks, and full account history — all accessible from a single in-app interface.

Multi-Jurisdiction Compliance

888 operates under licenses from the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Gibraltar Gambling Commission, and regulators in Spain, Romania, Ireland, Sweden, and US states (New Jersey, Michigan). Each license requires strict adherence to local responsible gambling regulations.

Player Protection Tools

• Deposit, Loss & Wager Limits: Players can set daily, weekly, and monthly limits across all 888 brands.
• Time-Out & Cooling-Off: Temporary breaks from play are available through the Control Center.
• Self-Exclusion: Players can voluntarily exclude themselves through national self-exclusion schemes (GAMSTOP in the UK, Spelpaus in Sweden, ROIS in Italy).
• Reality Checks: In-game reminders display time spent and money wagered during sessions.
• Account History: Full transaction and play history is available to all registered players.

Mr Green Green Gaming

The Mr Green brand features the industry-leading Green Gaming responsible gambling tool, which uses behavioral analytics to assess player risk levels and provide personalized feedback and interventions. Green Gaming has been recognized by GamCare and academic institutions as a best-in-class responsible gambling solution.

Partnerships & Research

888 partners with GamCare, GambleAware, and academic institutions to advance responsible gambling research and player protection. The group funds research into gambling behavior, harm prevention, and the effectiveness of intervention tools.