888 Holdings is now the only online poker company to secure a major presence in every legal online poker market in the United States.

Powering WSOP.com in NV and NJ and serving as the primary service provider in DE, they have their finger on the pulse of American iPoker.

Now 888 has agreed to a contract with at least one partner in offer online poker in California once it is legalized. This will make them the premier company in the United States for iGaming and a legitimate challenger to PokerStars.

888 Partners with Bay 101

Back in April All American Poker Network CEO David Licht told the Pennsylvania House Gaming Oversight Committee that the AAPN had secured a partnership with Bay 101 Casino in California.

This news was largely overlooked by the online gaming community but is important in the growth of U.S. legalized iGaming.

This deal makes Bay 101 just the second non-Caesars casino to officially partner with 888 Holdings for iGaming in the United States. Treasure Island in Nevada is under contract with the AAPN but is currently not offering online poker.

The All-American Poker Network is one of two U.S.-facing online poker properties operated by 888 Holdings. WSOP.com is the other.

The three state Racinos in Delaware offer online poker powered by 888 Holdings but the contract is actually with the state lottery and not the Racinos.

Will Other Card Rooms Partner with 888?

Presently it's unknown whether any other card rooms are in negotiations with 888 Holdings about being added to the All-American Poker Network.

The AAPN would actually be a great option for smaller tribal operators and smaller casinos wishing to operate in California. With a client that's already proven in multiple states it would be just a matter of skinning out the site to the operators.

The only other group that is close to a lock to partner with 888 is the Rincon tribe as they operate Harrah's Resort Southern California, formerly Harrah's Rincon. In this case the company would be using the WSOP.com brand rather than the AAPN.

888 to Become Solid Competitor to PokerStars

While stakeholders are focused on the potential impact of PokerStars they are somewhat overlooking the fact that 888 Holdings has quickly risen to be the top provider in the United States and a solid alternative to PokerStars.

Globally 888 Poker is the #2 online poker site behind PokerStars. With PokerStars continuing to experience resistance in entering the United States marketplace 888 is continuing to grow due to the decisions to pull out of the U.S. market post-UIGEA.