888 Holding this week announced a new strategic partnership with slot machine supplier WMS Gaming Inc.

The partnership will see the two parties go together to offer real-money online poker across the US, and firstly in Nevada once the Desert State's online gambling ecosystem goes live within the next couple of months.

WMS will market and distribute 888's online poker platform to a number of brick-and-mortar casinos in the US, starting out by offering a free-to-play solution. Once real-money gambling arrives in the US, the partners will be ready to take the initiative to the next level.

Both 888 Holding and WMS are already among the companies who have submitted applications to the Nevada Gaming Control Board, according to Pokernews.com.

"WMS is one of the main gaming suppliers in America, with a network of relationship with land-based operators that is second to none," said 888 CEO Brian Mattingly in a press release.

"The combination of 888's cutting edge online poker platform and WMS' customer relationships, marketing and distribution capabilities, provides the opportunity to build a substantial online presence," he added.

The partnership is not the first to be forged between 888 and a large American gambling entity. Earlier this year, the Gibraltar-based operator announced another partnership with Caesars Interactive Entertainment to run and develop the World Series of Poker's online brand in the US and abroad.

The aim of this partnership too is to bring real-money gambling to Nevada as well as other states in the near future.

In Nevada, 888 will be looking to compete for players with a strong selection of major brands who are looking to enter the market. More than two dozen companies have already applied for Nevada licenses, including giants like Bally Tech, bwin.party digital entertainment, Shufflemaster and MGM Resorts International.