Perceptions of Party's Interims Vary -- The Telegraph carries a piece, "PartyGaming fighting back after US online ban," and says that the company's interim results, released Wednesday, show a better-than-expected performance from its continuing business. Analysts from Deutsche Bank told the paper that Party's full-year forecasts looked "well-underpinned by [the] results," and that the firm had increased its EBITDA estimates by 2 percent to $105.5 million. As expected, interpretations across the English-language media varied widely--Bloomberg noted that the results envinced a "record gain" while the FT headlined with "US ban continues to hurt PartyGaming." U.K.-based Global Betting and Gaming Consultants told IGN that based on the interims, it had revised its full-year net revenue projection to $295 million (poker) and $480 million in total.
Blue Square on the Rise -- Rank Group has released half-yearly results for its Blue Square operation, which show revenues up 41 percent to £26 million and operating profit up 77 percent to £5.5 million. In its interim report, Rank said that Blue Square had been marketed more heavily and had benefited from sponsorship deals across the horse racing, greyhound racing and football industries. In July, Rumors began to circulate regarding a possible deal between 888 and Blue Square, as 888 is still looking to launch a Europe-facing sports-betting service. 888 chief executive Gigi Levy told eGaming Review that, with regard to the deal, "nothing is finalized," though refused further comment. In its full-year report, released April 30, 888 said that it would continue to "investigate opportunities to add a sports-book proposition to its offering to fulfill its one-stop-shop strategy."
Accept the Reality, Congress -- Long Island, N.Y., daily Newsday ran an editorial today examining the dispute between Antigua and the United States before the World Trade Organization. That Antigua has won--twice--should, the paper says, impel Congress to "accept that reality and replace the ban with regulation designed to ensure the financial integrity of gaming in cyberspace, to screen out minors and to make sure that the United States gets its cut in taxes."
Sweden to EC: It Is as It Is -- According to a report carried by Gaming Intelligence Group, the Swedish government has told the European Commission that its sports-betting legislation "is as it is in order to strengthen social security and counter criminal activity." On Tuesday, Brussels gave France and Greece two additional months to respond to its inquiries regarding the non-compliance of the countries' gaming legislation with EU law. Sweden, however, did not request an extension. As recently as June, the British media caught wind of rumors that Sweden had "hinted at a willingness to compromise with Brussels."
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, Ladbrokes was up 7.75p to 427.25, Playtech was up 15.75p to 351.75 and Rank was up 13.50p to 167.75.