888 expands US presence with Virginia sports betting licence
| By Robert Fletcher
Online betting and gaming operator 888 has secured a provisional sports betting licence for its Sports Illustrated-branded product in the US state of Virginia.
Issued by the Virginia Lottery, the licence will enable 888 to launch a sportsbook product in Virginia via its partnership with monthly magazine Sports Illustrated. 888 in June this year announced a strategic partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the owner of Sports Illustrated, to extend the magazine brand into betting and gaming.
The first SI Sportsbook was unveiled in Colorado in September 2021 and the new licence will also allow for the launch of an SI Sportsbook in Virginia in 2022.
“This is an important milestone for 888 which enhances our foothold in the US online sports betting and igaming market,” 888’s senior vice president and head of US, Yaniv Sherman, said.