888 rolls out poker offering in Portugal

Online gambling operator 888 has launched its 888poker brand in the regulated Portuguese market.

The roll-put sees 888poker become the second online poker brand to go live in the country and will now rival PokerStars. 888poker will operate through the 888poker.pt website.

888poker customers in Portugal will be able to compete against players in Spain via a shared poker liquidity network agreement between the two countries.

Players will have access to traditional poker formats, as well as a number of variants such as the SNAP and BLAST games. In addition, customers can win bonus cash by playing in 888’s Progressive Knockout Tournaments.

“Portugal is a fantastic opportunity for 888 and we’re excited to be just the second poker operator to enter the market. Players love their poker and there is incredible scope to grow its popularity,” 888’s head of B2C, Guy Cohen, said.

“Shared liquidity with 888poker.es will enhance players’ gaming experience with a greater pool of players and we believe our platform can help lift the entire landscape for poker in Portugal.”

Confirmation of the launch comes as Portuguese regulator Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ) revealed that the country’s igaming market generated record revenue in the first quarter of the year.

Revenue amounted to €47.3m (£42.4m/$53.4m) in the three months to March 31, 2019, up 43.8% on the same period last year. However, online poker revenue fell for the third consecutive quarter, with cash games and tournaments holding a combined market share of 13.9% for the online casino sector.