Donald Trump and 888 Holdings are discussing a potential online poker partnership, in the event that the government changes their stance on the practice. There have been reports that 888 has been in contact with Trump Entertainment Resorts, with discussions revolving around the possibilities present in a regulated American market.
Though they don’t currently offer online gaming in the states, 888 Holdings has had extensive business dealings with Caesar’s Interactive Entertainment. The company has earned a high degree of respect throughout the online gaming world, making them one of the top operators on the European continent. The U.S. government has also shown approval of 888’s activities through the approval of their work in Las Vegas.
“We have a unique position in the U.S.,” said 888 CEO Brian Mattingly, “allowing the launch of a real money offering immediately as either federal or state based regulation is finalized and upon licensing by gaming authorities.”
If conditions become favorable, a joint strike from these two groups could give them an early edge in the American market. With the software and practical experience of 888, Trump’s resources and brand recognition could push them to the forefront of the new industry.
This isn’t the first time that Trump’s name has come up in regard to online gaming. This past October, he and Marc Lasry, a hedge fund manager in New York, considered launching an online gaming firm. While the talks haven’t amounted to anything as of yet, they do indicate that Trump has a prior interest in internet wagering. Should online gambling become legal in the U.S., the two parties appear poised to leap into the fray.
“It would be a tremendous source of taxable revenue for states or the federal government and an enormous generator of jobs,” said Ivanka Trump at the time of the Lasry connection. “It’s just a matter of time.”