History of 888 Holdings
Founded in 1997 by brothers Benny and Aaron Shaked, with Avi Nachman, David (Aviram) Boniaim, and Gigi Nadler, 888 Group is one of the oldest online casino operators. Initially called Virtual City, it changed its name to Pacific Poker Network online casino in 2000 after launching a poker platform. The company later rebranded as 888 Holdings PLC in 2006, marking significant growth with various acquisitions.
One such acquisition was Casino On Net, a leading operator founded by Ilan Stavrou and Avi Sinelnikov in 1997. With the deal, 888 acquired a prominent online casino brand, further solidifying its position as an industry giant.
In addition to its poker platform, 888 Holdings also operates various other brands like William Hill Casino, All American Poker Network (AAPN), and Wintingo Online Casino.
Online Casino Operator Features
As one of the pioneers in the online gaming market, 888 has become synonymous with innovation. The operator features an extensive library of games from renowned software developers such as Microgaming, NetEnt, Playtech, IGT, and others. Players can choose from thousands of slots, table games like Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, Video Poker, as well as Live Casino options.
888 offers various deposit methods for players worldwide, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, Skrill, Neteller, EntroPay, bank transfers via banks such as HSBC and Barclays, and more. Customer support is accessible through multiple channels: email (support-en-gb@888.com), phone (+44 20 3017-2223) for UK residents and +353 1800 200 400 in Ireland).
Instant Play vs Download Casino Options
The operator provides both instant-play and downloadable casino experiences. Instant play allows players to access the games via a web browser without software downloads, while download casinos require users to install client-side applications on their computers.
Players can experience exclusive games developed by top-notch studios like 888’s own Dragonfish Network when using the downloaded version. The operator ensures compatibility with most operating systems (Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac OS) for the instant-play platform and its respective browser-based HTML5 technology.
Multi-Language Support
The global presence of online gaming has led to increased language support on various platforms, allowing non-English speakers worldwide to play their favorite games without regional restrictions. 888 supports numerous languages in multiple regions such as English (default), German, French (available on some sites but missing from others like 888casino.de). Spanish users have access through the dedicated domain of casino888.es.
While more countries’ local languages are represented by supporting websites (e.g., Portugal’s Casino 888.pt offers support for Portuguese) compared to larger operators in terms of the total number, their choice is not limitless. Some regions remain unrepresented due possibly to complex regulatory requirements or strategic decisions made based on regional market preferences and online gaming legislation.
Mobile Gaming Experience
To cater for an increasingly mobile-dependent user base across various platforms including smartphones (iOS & Android) and tablets, 888 has optimized its services with fully responsive interfaces that adapt seamlessly. Players can access their favorite slots, table games, or live casino experiences from anywhere at any time using supported web browsers. As users might expect less-than-ideal performance during periods of intense server traffic due to increased mobile usage (especially on public networks), such issues remain within acceptable limits.
Mobile accessibility allows players with limited space and lower-end devices the chance to engage in a rewarding experience through 888’s online gaming offerings, offering convenient alternatives like slot tournaments available across platforms for enthusiasts. Despite relatively short loading times observed under test conditions using popular carriers, minor performance variations might arise based on your service provider and the strength of Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity.
Casino Games Collection
With thousands of titles from various suppliers included within its library – many top-end vendors contribute to maintaining quality – 888 aims for a strong market position. Some examples include:
- Slots:
- NetEnt’s Gonzo Quest and Jackpot 6000
- Microgaming’s Immortal Romance (exclusive) and Thunderstruck II (another exclusive offering by this renowned slot provider)
- Progressive games: Mega Moolah (Microgaming), Major Millions, or Fruit Salad Deluxe powered by IGT.
- Table Games:
- Roulette variations including French, European, American single-zero wheel roulette; standard US game tables feature six in total plus Auto-Roulette with 35 chips displayed on a 6-number table layout
- Live Dealer casino from providers like Evolution Gaming allow users to engage players simultaneously by participating via the internet (influencing their own odds); they do so through an operator’s network hosting virtual live-action roulette or blackjack
Games available under download: more than those accessible instantly via browser-based instant play; e.g., there are titles exclusive to 888 with various themes available.