Record-Breaking Quarter -- Playtech today released its third-quarter trading update, revealing record revenues totaling $26.9 million, up 81 percent against $14.4 million generated during the previous-year period. Casino and poker revenues also evinced significant growth and were up 51 percent and 266 percent, respectively. The company commented that revenues for October were particularly strong, and that Asia-Pacific revenue is continuing to grow via the organic growth of its Asia-facing licensees. Playtech also said it "expects" to launch its Asian P2P network in the "coming few months." Europe continues to dominate the group's financial picture, producing 72 percent of its revenue, while the addition of Bet 365 to its poker network "boosted the network's already strong liquidity," it said. "We are delighted with this quarter's record-breaking figures, which clearly demonstrate the growing strength and presence of Playtech within the global gaming sector," said Playtech Chief Executive Mor Weizer. Shares in the company were up 18p, or 4.96 percent, to 381.00
Still Acquisitive -- On the release of its third-quarter results this morning, CryptoLogic announced it had acquired a "substantial minority stake" in Mikoishi Studios, an Asia-based game development and design company, with options to increase its ownership over time. Click here for the full story
Stateside -- EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson traveled to Washington, D.C., this week to hold talks with U.S. trade representatives and legislators over issues relating to the U.S. ban on Internet gambling. Click here for the full story.
Licensed -- Microgaming has been granted a Class IV license for its online casino product by the Maltese Lotteries and Gaming Authority. "We are delighted to have been granted our Maltese license for our casino product and look forward to being able to offer our operators this gateway into the European Union," said Microgaming Chief Executive Roger Raatgever.
Strong Revenues for Fluxx -- Germany-based Fluxx AG reported third-quarter revenues of 16.7 million euros, a 42 percent jump against figures from the previous year, though posted a pre-tax loss of 1.9 million euros. The company attributed the loss to start-up costs for its Spanish, German and U.K. interests as well as to "disproportionately high" legal and consultancy costs in connection with German regulatory developments. In mid October, the company announced an 11.35 million euro bid for horse betting specialist Sportwetten.de AG. Investor relations spokesman Stefan Hänel told IGN the bid was in line with its strategy as the company is more than 90 percent focused on horse betting. Fluxx currently holds a 25.4 percent stake in Sportwetten. Click here for Fluxx's nine-month report.
Judicious Addiction -- Australian daily The Age reports Australian High Court judges were shown the ins-and-outs of exchange betting by legal representatives for Betfair in its dispute with Western Australia. "This is getting interesting," said Justice Michael Kirby, "I might get addicted."
Stock Watch -- On the LSE, Rank continued to slide and was down 2p to 83.75, Neteller was up 2.75p to 79.75 and Sportech was up 0.25p to 11.50.