Online betting firm sees profits jump 6%

GIBRALTAR-based online gaming company, 888.com — which is currently being courted by bookmaking giant Ladbrokes — has reported a 6% increase in operating profit, for 2010, to $262 million (€193.5m).

The company, which has its shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, said yesterday — via a trading update — that it finished 2010 strongly and the current year “has started well”.

Group operating income for the fourth quarter of the year came in at $71m, an 18% increase on the preceding three months.