Internet gambling firm PartyGaming today blamed the distraction of the Euro 2008 football championships for a recent dip in trade.

The FTSE 100 Index broke a week-long losing streak today as takeover talk in the property sector and early advances for US markets lifted blue-chip stocks.

Party Poker owner PartyGaming today warned that it would not meet profits forecasts for the year after it was hit by the cost of building up its player base.

Party Poker owner PartyGaming said today revenues outside America had increased 151% as it continued to reduce its dependence on the US gambling market.

Strong gains by steel maker Corus were offset by a bout of profit taking as the FTSE 100 Index struggled for direction today.