OpenBet, a leading content, platform and service provider to the sports betting industry and part of the global Endeavor network, has facilitated the launch of Sports Illustrated Sportsbook’s first-ever retail sportsbook in partnership with 888. 

Sports Illustrated, through its parent company Authentic Brands Group (Authentic), partnered with 888 in 2021 to create a world-class sportsbook.

Following the success of the digital sportsbook branded by one of the world’s most iconic media brands, OpenBet was selected as the partner of choice to support its journey into the retail space.  

Situated within Michigan’s Island Resort & Casino, the operator’s suite is powered by OpenBet’s world-class retail solutions, including state-of-the-art betting counters and self-service kiosks. Customers are presented with a diverse range of betting options such as same-game parlays, in-game wagering, teasers, futures, and player props, all seamlessly integrated through OpenBet’s comprehensive Trading System. 

Advertisement

This collaboration further solidifies OpenBet’s position as the trusted sports betting provider to operators across the U.S. 

Deb Krupinski, U.S. Vice-President at OpenBet, commented: “We are delighted to partner with 888 and Sports Illustrated Sportsbook to power their first-ever retail launch. Customers at the Island Resort & Casino in Michigan can now immerse themselves in the ultimate sports betting experience in a safe and secure environment. 

“Delivering this landmark retail platform for such an iconic brand is a significant milestone for OpenBet and underscores our commitment to ensuring our partners are equipped with cutting-edge technology and unrivalled content. We’re excited about the future and eager to see the successes this launch will bring.” 

Howard Mittman, US President at 888holdings, added: “Our alliance with OpenBet to power Sports Illustrated Sportsbook, celebrated with this launch, paints a promising future for the retail betting landscape in Michigan.  

“As we stand on the cusp of this exciting new chapter, our collective vision and expertise are set to redefine customer experiences.” 

Advertisement

Nuvei Corporation, the Canadian fintech company, announced that it has been selected by 888, a leading global iGaming operator, to boost its card acquiring and local payment method capabilities to accelerate its growth in the large and expanding U.S. iGaming landscape. 888 is leveraging Nuvei’s superior technology platform, extensive acquiring reach, instant bank-to-bank payments, and deep knowledge of regulated iGaming markets to maximize payments acceptance and optimize its risk management.

Supporting its growth in the US is the latest expansion of Nuvei’s longstanding global partnership with 888, including an existing relationship driving enhanced player experience at the cashier. In addition to enabling 888 to accept deposits, players can instantly withdraw funds from their 888 account directly to their bank card or via Nuvei Instant Bank Transfer, the U.S. iGaming industry’s first payment method for instant account-to-account deposits and payouts.

Nuvei has provided payments services to 888 in Europe since 2017 and enabled 888 to launch in Ontario, Canada, once the province launched its newly regulated iGaming market in April 2022.

888 VP of U.S. Marketing, Noam Klivitzky, said: “Enabling players to deposit and withdraw funds from their iGaming accounts seamlessly and securely is critical to the overall platform experience. At 888 we’re committed to offering the most comprehensive iGaming experience in the market, so we’re excited to add Nuvei’s card acquiring capabilities alongside its Instant Bank Transfer solution. Nuvei has a rich heritage of enabling iGaming operators to maximize their payments’ performance in regulated markets across the globe.”

Advertisement

Nuvei Chair and CEO Philip Fayer said: “We’re thrilled to continue to grow our relationship with 888 and support its global expansion in the U.S. and beyond. Instant, convenient, and secure deposits and payouts are critical to winning players in the rapidly expanding U.S. iGaming landscape. Optimizing card payment acceptance is a key component of the cashier experience, and Nuvei has decades of experience supporting operators maximize their revenue growth.”

Big hits from Big Time Gaming to launch for Ontario players July 26

Two new Megaways slots from legendary Australian games studio Big Time Gaming (BTG) are about to hit the Ontario market. Max Megaways and Vegas Megaways will make their Canadian debuts together on July 26 via partners of Evolution. That includes major Ontario operators like 888, BetMGM, LeoVegas and Rush Street Interactive.

Max Megaways is a Bond-esque caper with a license to thrill while Vegas Megaways is a game writ large in neon, transplanting a slice of the Las Vegas Strip to your living room.

BTG changed the way we thought about slots when it developed the Megaways mechanic, a powerful random-reel-modifier that alters the number of winning paylines with every spin meaning there can be anything up to 117,649 ways to win. BTG has since licensed the mechanic to numerous game developers and Megaways has become and industry standard and player favourite.

Advertisement

But BTG does not rest on its heels and these two games are packing all kinds of clever and exciting mechanics.

In Max Megaways, you play the titular debonair secret agent as he infiltrates an arch supervillain’s remote volcano-island lair and help avert a missile launch that could turn every city in the world into liquid hot magma.

With every base game spin and reaction, there is a chance to score a bonus in the form of Maximum Megaways, Vertical Wilds, Horizontal Wilds or Wild Bombs. There’s also a Megascatter Enhanced Free Spins feature where you can select three doors into the volcano lair to reveal your free spin bonuses.

Meanwhile, in glitzy Vegas Megaways, you have a chance of triggering one of four bonuses in the base game in Maximum Megaways, Vertical Wild, Horizontal Wild or Wild Bomb. You can also hit up the VIP Gamble if you’re feeling lucky for the chance to climb a ladder to win up to 50 free spins. Along the way you can collect special VIP Tips to help you make the right choices.

Both games include BTGs popular Bonus Buy and Win Exchange features for players who want to jump right into the action. Bonus Buy lets you buy in to the bonus round directly, while, with Win Exchange, you get the chance to gamble big wins for more spins.

Advertisement

“Since we began releasing content in Ontario earlier this year, we’ve had some great feedback from players who really enjoy the new mechanics we drop into our games,” the Chief Executive Officer for BTG, Nik Robinson, said. “That’s why we’re really excited about Max Megaways and Vegas Megaways because these two titles really take things up a notch in terms of engagement and playability.”

“For years, BTG has been pushing the boundaries of how we think about casino gaming with each new release,” the Chief Commercial Officer North America for Evolution, Jeff Millar, said. “Max Megaways and Vegas Megaways were massive hits for Evolution when we launched them in other markets last year. The joy of these games is that there’s so much going on in terms of amazing features and bonuses but they’re still simple to play. We think they will be smash hits in Ontario.”