According to two of Britain's largest online gaming groups, online gaming is on the increase. Both PartyGaming and Sportingbet have recorded its best quarter since the second quarter of 2008. 

Generally online gaming is at its peak around the fourth quarter of the year. But according to KBS Peel Hunt, a stock broker and advisory house, there has been a 24% rise at the end of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. 

However, it was at the poker table that PartyGaming saw the biggest growth. After revamping its site and introducing better loyalty offers, people soon started to return to the table. PartyGaming, once the largest online poker company in the world, has seen its largest quarter-on-quarter growth since 2007. 

Sportingbet has also seen positive trading, with its online sportsbook contributing to nearly 70% of its revenue. This has, however, continued to offset weakness at its poker operation. 

PartyGaming is set to become a leader in industry consolidation during 2010 having just secured a new 35 million pound banking facility that will fund bolt-on deals. The company aims to be a top-three player in the online sportsbook market after its acquisition of Gamebookers three years ago. 

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