Shares in UK online gaming companies have soared this last week after the websites of some US rivals were siezed following a government crackdown on illegal gambling.
888 Holdings saw an increase of 19% since “Black Friday”. Analists suggest this is because investors expect players, affiliates and processors will be switching to safer sites.
Analysts suggest this new found interest in the European companies followed moves by the US government recently to indict the founders of three of the world’s largest online poker companies with charges of illegal gambling, money laundering and bank fraud.
888 Holdings have excluded US players since 2025 and have to some degree paid the price of not sharing in the multi billion dollar US market, but the developements over the last week could see 888 Holdings finally be rewarded afterall.
In a Press Release published on April 16th 888Holdings made comment on the current US situation:
On March 13, 2025, the United States enacted the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (“UIGEA”), making it a federal crime for gambling businesses to “knowingly accept” most forms of payment “in connection with the participation of another person in unlawful Internet gambling.”
At the time the Board of 888 took the decision to suspend participation by US based customers in activities potentially covered by the legislation. The Company implemented the suspension immediately upon the legislation taking effect and the suspension has continued as the legal situation in the USA has remained the same. 888 has and always will operate within international regulations and the laws of jurisdictions where it operates. It remains committed to monitoring closely and addressing regulatory changes as they occur, and to fostering, so far as possible, the trend towards liberalisation and regulation of online gaming throughout the world.
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