888 and WSOP to share liquidity in New Jersey

ators 888 and WSOP will begin sharing online poker liquidity in New Jersey from today (Monday).

Increased prize pools will be offered to players on the All American Poker Network, the joint venture between 888 Holdings and Avenue Capital, as well as wider gameplay options within cash games and sit&gos.

Individual rewards and VIP programmes will be retained by 888 and WSOP separately but both sites will share $130,000 per week in tournament prizes.

New Jersey is seeking online poker growth following disappointing financial results in the sector last year.

Online poker and casino gambling was legalised in New Jersey in 2013, but revenue fell a long way short of State Governor Chris Christie’s prediction of $1bn in its first year, with the total between November 2013 and November 2014 standing at $120.5m.

Despite only 25% of New Jersey’s online gaming revenue being generated by poker last year, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has cited it as a potential growth area for 2015.

AAPN chief executive David Licht told the Washington Times: “Shared liquidity will help create a better player experience that we hope will attract a diversity of players and begin to bring poker to a broader audience once again.”