One of the largest online casino operators and software developers, 888 holding has indicated that casino and poker gambling came back in August after poor performance because of the World Soccer Championship.

The operator of online casinos, online bingo and sports betting blamed the decline of 43% in profit before tax to the global slowdown in online poker. Pre-tax profit was 6.6 million Euro in the first six months of the year, compared to 11.7 million Euro last year. 888 said that demand for its poker and casino sites had further declined during the World Cup in June, but the poker revenue is up 15% since then, so it returns to normal levels for this time of the year.

888 said they hope the new software and new 3D online casino interest will improve in the market worldwide is declining. Between January and July this year the number of poker players worldwide reduced 25%, during the World Cup 2010 it was worse. Sales were also affected by the exchange rate of the Euro and the Pound in respect to the dollar.

CEO of 888, Gigi Levy said: “The market has been challenging on a number of fronts, from the weak economic environment and overall poker weakness to the impact of the World Cup on poker and casino activity. Our decline was roughly in line with general online poker trends but we have taken steps to address it.” 888 is considering possible mergers to secure a spot in the online casino industry after a merger between PartyGaming and Bwin created the biggest online gambling company in the world. Levy concluded with: “We look at consolidation as one of the possible routes to realising our full value and feel that longer term this is the direction the industry will take. We have always stated that we will look into all relevant deals and expect the recent merger news to accelerate such discussions in the industry.”