888 Looking To Buy Online Betting Operation

Online Casino and Poker room 888 is looking to buy a sports betting operation, Chief Executive John Anderson has said.

"I need that for customer retention and for organic growth," he said after the group reported a 56% year-on-year increase in fourth-quarter gaming revenues to $77 million (£43 million pounds).

"I'm looking, but I'm not talking to anyone," he added.

888's share price has rallied strongly since its troubled stock market debut in September 2005, when investors feared poker growth was moderating.

But analysts still recommend diverse gaming operations like Sportingbet as the safest investments.

Anderson said he was open minded about where the potential acquisition was focussed, but wanted to avoid taking bets from the United States.

"In terms of sportsbook, the one thing I will not be doing is taking bets from American citizens in America, because that's illegal under the Wire Act in the States," he said.