The online gaming scene in the U.K received a huge boost today with the news that one of the leading internet gambling sites operating on these shores announced huge profits for the year 2006.

888 Holdings announced pre-tax profits of $74.5 million for 2006 compared with $48 million in 2005. The huge jump represents a 55% rise in profits showing that more people in Britain are using online casino sites than ever before.

The trend set by 888 is likely to be mirrored all be it on a smaller scale by other online gaming sites in the UK as the industry here benefits from a higher profile.

The U.K and the rest of Europe current represent 81 per cent of 888’s business after the introduction of the U.S Unlawful Internet gambling act forced it to halt its services to U.S customers last October.

Already in 2007 sites such as Getminted.com amongst others have improved their online sites making them more attractive to players in the U.K.

On the back of research which revealed players now want more options and information when they enter a site new games are coming online weekly and players are also seeking more up to date news on online gaming and the industry as a whole.

News of the huge profits posted by 888 will have been welcomed by the exchequer who see both land based and online gambling sites as a key revenue market in the years ahead.

The issue of casinos and gambling in general was pole-vaulted into the national spotlight in the UK as a result of the Super Casino fiasco. However the wrangling which has surrounded the Government’s proposed legislation has not negatively effected the numbers playing online and if anything the added media exposure has attracted more people to online gaming sites.