888 Holdings (London: 154.25p / -0.50 p / -0.32%)
888 Holdings has signed a strategic agreement with Rival, a provider of game server software and i-Slots virtual games, whereby 888 will integrate Rival's titles into its software platform.
By way of background, on the April release of its annual results, the company announced plans to launch 888Debut.com.
The Web site, set to go live in the 2008 fiscal year, will serve as a platform offering third-party games developers the ability to debut games to 888 customers.
888 hopes that the project will enable it to launch new games more quickly.
The deal is 888's fourth this month, following agreements with CryptoLogic Ltd., Gaming Technology Solutions and Electracade.
Ladbrokes (London: 315p / +5p / +1.61%)
Ladbrokes, the high street bookmaker, has revealed a 13 percent rise in profit -- before profit from high rollers, interest, tax and non-trading items -- for the four-month period ending April 30.
Gross win was up 16 percent, excluding profit from high rollers.
Against the previous-year period, the group's electronic gaming arm has grown net revenue by 24 percent and unique active customers by 18 percent.
It said activity in its sports book, casino and games offerings was strong.
Revenue from poker, however, fell 2 percent "in what remains a competitive market," the company said.
Paddy Power (London: 24.20p / +0.10p / +0.41%)
Fintan Drury, the independent non-executive chairman of Paddy Power, will step down at the end of the 2008 fiscal year.
Mr. Drury announced his planned resignation on Thursday's annual shareholders meeting.
The company, a land-based and Internet gambling operator, said trading in the 20 weeks to May 13 has "started well," with favorable sporting results and top-line growth offsetting adverse forex movements.
Currency depreciation -- pounds sterling against euros -- is projected to reduce group operating profit by approximately 5 million euros, or $7.8 million.
The company expects full-yearly operating profits of 82 million euros, which would represent a 14 percent rise over 2007.
Nigel H. Northridge, a senior non-executive with the company, will succeed Mr. Drury.
Chris Krafcik is the editor of IGamingNews. He lives in St. Louis, Mo.