Independent, The (London): THE WEEK IN REVIEW: Taking a punt on 888.com could be a good

The story of online gambling companies and their coming to the stock market has been filled with as much bluff and machismo as a game of poker.

The naysayers are on a winning streak, since PartyGaming warned growth was slowing. Shares in 888.com fell on their debut this week " but gamblers should take a punt.

PartyGaming's problems are not widely shared. It has overspent on broad- brush advertising, attracting players who disappear having staked only a few dollars. The global outlook for the online gambling market is still strong. Some $8bn was staked online last year, up from $3bn in 2001, yet internet gambling is still only 5 per cent of the total. There more punters out there to tempt online.

888 is not dependent on the US, nor on poker. Most of its business is in casino games such as blackjack, which do carry a risk that punters can sometimes take the company to the cleaners. The cost of marketing also continues to rise because of mounting competition. But it is the big sites like 888 that offer the best " and safest " technology that will attract the most players in the long term.

Investing in 888 needs guts, but with its brand and dividend prospects, it is worth getting a seat at the table.