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The increase has been helped by acquisitions and the business remains confident about 2010 as trading continues to be in line with the company’s expectations.

Last year, PartyGaming acquired Cashcade Ltd and World Poker Tour but, even excluding these buys, sales rose by 12% year-on-year thanks to favourable sports results and consistent performance from its online casino gaming brand PartyCasino.com.

Rumours of consolidation with sports betting giants Bwin, possible expansion in both the Danish and the French markets in the next two years, and the appointment of Per Widerstrom to the newly created post of chief operating officer have all contributed to PartyGaming’s 30% share price increase.

Chief executive Jim Ryan said: "With some of the world's largest gaming sites in poker, casino and bingo, and opportunities to further consolidate the online gaming sector; we are confident about our future prospects.

“Whilst the regulatory picture in some countries remains uncertain, the momentum towards creating commercially viable and regulated markets is strong," Ryan said."

The group also confirmed its December announcement that it expects 'clean' 2009 full-year earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization, or Ebitda, to be slightly ahead of the company's expectations.

'Clean' Ebitda is the company's preferred measure of profitability and excludes one-off, non-recurring and non-cash items.  The company is due to report is full year results March 4.