Significant market share in Spain by 888 has further boosted its poker offering, which has helped drive continued strong trading throughout the first half of 2012.
In its updated guidance for the full year ending December 31, 2012, the online gaming entertainment and solutions provider reported that its poker offer is currently number two in the Spanish market, showing the group’s ability to build share in new markets.
The delay in the introduction of the new regulatory regime in Spain, introduced in June, resulted in a delay in marketing spend by 888 in the country, originally planned for the first half. The group also added that the introduction of federal taxation on sports betting in Germany has had negligible effect.
In the second half of the year, 888 expects margins to be slightly impacted by investment in marketing in order to secure a leading position in Spain, as well as investment in infrastructure ahead of delivering announced deals in the US and the unknown impact of the Olympic Games in London.
