WSOP Poker Rooms in Three US States Still Waiting For Poker 8 Software Upgrade

Summary

• The 888 Poker 8 software update is yet to be rolled out in U.S states
• WSOP poker rooms in Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey still using classic version
• 888 currently focusing on non-US William Hill implementation

888’s plans to upgrade WSOP poker rooms in New Jersey, Nevada and Delaware from classic to Poker 8 are unclear. Currently, only WSOP real money poker rooms in Michigan and Pennsylvania operate on the Poker 8 software. 888 launched WSOP MI six months ago and WSOP PA in mid-July 2021.

However, a corporate presentation in mid-August suggests that players may expect an upgrade by the end of the year.

Three US States Still Use Classic Version

In October 2020, 888 launched a mobile app called Poker 8 in Europe. A month later, it released a desktop version of the same. In March 2021, Spain and Portugal, two segregated markets in Europe, upgraded to Poker 8, representing the last non-US jurisdictions to upgrade from the classic version to Poker 8.

Currently, the WSOP/888poker US network comprising WSOP NJ, 888poker NJ and WSOP NV, along with the three racinos in Delaware, operates on the classic version of the 888 poker software.

Late in April 2021, 888 Holdings announced plans to launch online poker rooms in Pennsylvania and Michigan by the end of June 2021. The company said that online poker rooms in both US states would operate on its upgraded Poker 8 software, making them the first US states running on Poker 8.

The operator hinted that it would upgrade its New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware poker rooms from classic to Poker 8 by the end of 2021 but that did not happen.

Features of Poker 8

When 888 launched Poker 8 in 2018, players were overwhelmed. But the operator continued to add new features to the software.

Poker 8 has a filter to enable players to access satellite games from the lobby, a Winner Spinner feature for mobile devices, customized emoticons, and sticky tournaments pinning popular games at the top of the tournament lobby. It is a significant upgrade of the operator’s classic version.

William Hill Implementation Under Process

Meanwhile, the operator has announced plans to integrate its non-US William Hill assets acquired in June. The company announced on August 12 plans for initial platform migrations in late 2022, which would continue till the middle of 2023. This will be followed by phased platform migrations that would end in 2025.