Playtech is a world renowned online casino software provider that produces casino games like bingo, slots, blackjack and roulette for online casinos. An increased demand for these types of games has seen the software giant post better than expected results in the first half of 2012 with a 64% increase in earnings.

According to the group’s CEO Mor Weizer, Playtech has seen a good performance across the board in its bingo, casino and mobile sports betting platform Mobenga. He further stated that mobile gambling is becoming on the fastest growing segments within the industry and that social gaming was becoming increasingly appealing, especially due to the fact that Facebook recently began to allow its users to play for money on their platform. According to Weizer, the convergence between real money gambling and social media is almost inevitable.

Playtech recently reported adjusted earning prior to tax deductions, interest, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of a massive 91.2 million Euros for the first half of 2012 on revenue which more than doubled to 154 million Euros.

Weizer also stated that the organisation has seen a strong start to the third quarter which is traditionally a quieter period due to the fact that is summer in the Northern hemisphere and many gamblers are away from their PC’s and out enjoying the summer months. Nevertheless, daily revenues are up over 25% in comparison to the same period last year.

Group share prices have also increased by 4.6% to a three month of high of 390 pence. Analysist believe that the group will see a rise in their expected market consensus for the full year to rise above the estimated 165 million mark. Nick Batram at broker Peel Hunt stated that the results were slightly ahead of expectations and said that “With a strong start to Q3, the risks to forecasts look firmly on the upside.”

With strong results like this, online gamblers will be sure to continue to enjoy Playtech powered online casino games and also perhaps see a few new and exciting developments in the years to come as a portion of profits are re-invested into software development.

If British Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has his way UK based online gambling fans will be provided with the fastest internet in Europe in the near future.

In a meeting held at Silicon Roundabout Hunt revealed that he aimed to make truly high speed broadband internet available to over 90% of the UK by the year 2015 in order to ensure better efficiency and increased business profitability across the board.

He stated that in order to be the best you need to be the fastest and that it was his aim to ensure that the UK have the fastest broadband of any major European Country. He further stated that getting the “plumbing” right for the digital economy would not just benefit consumers but also creative and digital industries who rely on high speed networks in order to develop and export products as well as maximize profits.

According to The Guardian newspaper, Hunt’s commitment apparently follows a House of Lords Report on the national broadband strategy that was published in July 2012 and the published results from Freelancer.co.uk’s study which indicated that more than half of all executives from 1500 internet dependent organizations believed that poor quality internet had adversely affected their business. Findings also showed that 65% of executives believe that a rural-urban divide exists with remote areas being unable to take advantage of new business opportunities as a result of lower broadband speeds.

According to technology company Akamai’s quarterly speed league table, Britain is currently ranked 15th in Europe when it comes to internet speed behind countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Germany.

The British Government is now striving to achieve coverage and superfast internet speed (24Mb per second or more) in 90% of the country in the next 3 years with the remaining 10% running on no less than 2Mb per second lines.

The House of Lords communications committee on the other hand has urged ministers to focus instead on building the appropriate technologies and well as encouraging the provision of fibre-optic lines to as many British homes as possible.

Either way, online casinos and British punters who enjoy playing the many online casino games will benefit greatly from these new developments.