25 March 2014
Online poker and casino firm 888 Holdings was a winner in the Square Mile today as it looked to speed up its push back into US markets and rewarded investors with a special dividend.
Operators were booted out of the US in 2006 but, after a thawing of the regulatory landscape, 888 now has a presence in New Jersey, Delaware and Nevada.
It also spies opportunities in California, New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Chief executive Brian Mattingley said: “In 2006, the US was a $3 billion market, but now we would estimate it is a $5 billion market.”
Shares jumped 11p to 146p as 888 unveiled a special dividend of seven cents. Pre-tax profit last year rose 30% to $53 million (£32 million).
