Online gambling rise after US ban

Online gaming firm 888 today said it overcame a 55% drop in revenues after the US banned Internet gambling late last year to post full year pre-tax profits up by more than a third. The group reported a 34% rise in profits for the year to December 31 to $90.5m (£45.4m), despite having to close half of its business following the US decision last October. A potential deal to sell to betting group Ladbrokes has been halted.