888, a leading online betting and gaming operator, is thrilled to reveal that it has been granted a provisional sports betting license for its Sports Illustrated-branded product in the US state of Virginia.
The license was issued by the Virginia Lottery and will give 888 the opportunity to launch a sportsbook product in Virginia via its partnership with monthly magazine Sports Illustrated.
In June of this year, 888 announced a that it had entered into a key partnership with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), the owner of Sports Illustrated, to expand the magazine brand into betting and gaming.
The first SI Sportsbook was launched in Colorado in September 2021 and the new license will allow for an SI Sportsbook to be unveiled in Virginia next year.
Yaniv Sherman, Senior Vice President and Head of US at 888, commented that this is an important milestone for 888 which enhances their foothold in the US online sports betting and igaming market.
Sherman went on to say that there is a growing sports betting fanbase in the state and he firmly believes SI Sportsbook, supported by their partners at Sports Illustrated, will offer a unique and differentiated experience to their customers which will be well-received.
888 now holds local licenses or market access agreements in nine states, with the operator also approved in Colorado, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, Delaware Iowa, Nevada and Pennsylvania.
In addition, 888 will partner up with Virtual Entertainment Partners (VEP) in Virginia. VEP is a local small, woman-owned and minority-owned (SWaM) certified business with 100% African-American female ownership.
