A spokesman for the online gambling provider, Playtech, was in a bullish mood in an interview with the Financial Times this week, revealing that the online gambling software company is planning an “aggressive” acquisition strategy after enjoying strong growth towards the end of last year. The spokesman noted that the firm's European Championship of Online Poker held in December, its largest event, had awarded $2.5 million in guaranteed prizes and helped monthly sales reach a “record level”.

The spokesman also revealed that Playtech is holding talks to sign licensees in the Spanish and Italian markets for the first time, and a service signed with one of the largest, but so far unidentified, Asia-facing online gaming operators will be launched by the end of the first quarter. It is understood a further licensee agreement with a separate Asian operator will be announced after approval from regulators.

The FT reports that Playtech takes a percentage cut of licensee revenue, an unusual step for a software company. Yet analysts point out that it faces price pressure from rivals, which include Microgaming, a privately owned counterpart of a similar size, and smaller developers such as CryptoLogic. Despite this, the company maintains it is “highly confident” with its business prospects for the New Year. The company further said it was confident that it would meet analysts’ estimates for 2007. Pre-tax profits are expected to be $68.8 million on sales of $102.8 million.

Richard Carter, the Numis analyst, maintains his Playtech forecast for 2008 is unchanged but said he may increase it between 10 and 15 percent if “current trading momentum is maintained”. He described Playtech as a “best in class operator” but noted its dependence on only 10 licensees.

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