PartyGaming success has rivals queuing up for market share of the ante

POKER firm PartyGaming’s recent stock market launch gave investors a taste for gambling and rivals seem to be queuing up to cash in on its success.

PartyGaming is now bigger than retailer Marks & Spencer in terms of market value after starring just two months ago in London’s biggest flotation since the dotcom boom. After seeing its market value rise from around £5 billion (€7.34bn) to £6.7bn, the stock is also on a par with B&Q owner Kingfisher and airports operator BAA, and looks set to enter the FTSE 100 Index of leading shares next month.

Internet casino operator 888.com is reportedly the latest firm hoping to grab a slice of PartyGaming’s success and is said to be aiming for a listing next week.