AN Internet gambling firm is the latest to cash in on the popularity of online poker when its shares began trading on the London stock market.
Empire Online floated on the Alternative Investment Market with a value of £512.4m, but immediately saw its shares rise from their opening price of 175p to 181.5p.
The group makes its money by directing players to poker and casino websites such as Party Poker. These companies receive all the gambling revenues and pay Empire a marketing fee for attracting business.
Empire has a deal to market websites for a subsidiary of online poker giant Party Gaming, which today announced details of its forthcoming flotation.
Poker accounts for around two-thirds of Empire's business while casino makes up for the remaining third.
The placing raised £123.5m.
Manchester Online
Empire Online floated on the Alternative Investment Market with a value of £512.4m, but immediately saw its shares rise from their opening price of 175p to 181.5p.
The group makes its money by directing players to poker and casino websites such as Party Poker. These companies receive all the gambling revenues and pay Empire a marketing fee for attracting business.
Empire has a deal to market websites for a subsidiary of online poker giant Party Gaming, which today announced details of its forthcoming flotation.
Poker accounts for around two-thirds of Empire's business while casino makes up for the remaining third.
The placing raised £123.5m.
Manchester Online
