Nevada and Delaware have begun sharing online poker players, implementing an agreement made more than a year ago.
888 Holdings is providing the platform for the Multi-State Player Network.
Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval said the two states were “leading by example to provide a legal, tightly regulated online poker market that protects consumers in both our states.”
Both Nevada and Delaware have had trouble gaining large player bases due to the small populations in their states. Online gambling is only approved for players within the state’s boundaries. By teaming together, the two states hope to increase player bases.
“We now offer an online poker option that is more competitive and more enjoyable for its users, thanks to this collaborative effort,” Delaware Governor Jack Markel said.
Nevada is home to WSOP.com, which is operated by Caesars Interactive Entertainment, and Real Gaming, a website associated with the South Point Casino. Real Gaming is not part of the network because it doesn’t use 888 software, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In Delaware, players can access the network through the Dover Downs, Harrington Raceway, or Delaware Park websites which use 888 software.
“The launch of the MSPN is a key milestone for 888 and marks a new era for regulated online gaming in the United States,” said Brian Mattingley, Chief Executive of 888. “This has all been made possible by 888’s flexible and robust gaming platform, deployed across all three regulated US states, which opens up the possibility for other states in the US to join in the future, should they choose to.
“It has been our honor to be a part of this ground-breaking project and we congratulate the States of Nevada and Delaware, under the leadership of Governor Sandoval and Governor Markell, and the gaming regulators of both states, for implementing the regulation which enables our technology to deliver a safe, secure and exciting shared poker network for their eligible players,” he said.
New Jersey is the third state to offer online poker in the U.S., but has not joined the network.
According to the website PokerScout, Delaware reached a peak of 313 cash game players during the first day of sharing.
