PartyGaming's casino wheel is still rolling

PartyCasino, which offers more than 150 games including slots,

blackjack and roulette, grew revenues 6 per cent against the first

three months of 2010, although player numbers were down 5 per cent.

The group said it was pleased with the "relatively robust" performance despite a "particularly tough" quarter for its PartyPoker card room – where revenues will be as much as 13 per cent below the previous three months due to the impact of the tournament as well as warmer weather.

Overall group revenues will be 2 per cent down quarter-on-quarter although unexpected World Cup results – including early exits for 2006 finalists France and Italy – provided a silver lining for its sports betting business.

PartyGaming added that its bingo and sports betting arms held revenues steady in a traditionally weaker quarter, while trading across the group was in line with expectations.

Shares closed the day up 5 per cent on the news.