You just don’t know whether to bet on PartyGaming or not. On one hand, they are a sure bet with savvy mergers behind them and a possible marriage with Bwin. On the other hand, the company’s founder Anurag Dikshit has just sold his remaining 38.8 million shares stating his intent to ‘move away from the whole issue and industry of PartyGaming’.

Speculation about the possible merger between sports betting legends Bwin and PartyGaming has been ferocious and – last week - the rumour mill pumped the stock price up by 11%.

By contrast, the Indian software expert and founder of PartyGaming Anurag Dikshit has appointed Goldman Sachs to sell off his remaining shares. Dikshit was the brains behind PartyGaming’s poker software but become increasingly stressed when the company’s business was declared illegal in America.

Dikshit pleaded guilty to breaking US laws and agreed to pay a fine of $300 million. He could still face a two year prison sentence. Dikshit’s sale announcement caused PartyGaming’s shares to drop by 7 per cent.

Speculation is now rife as to whether or not Dikshit has privileged information about the possible merger between PartyGaming and Bwin.

“It would seem logical for any investor to wait until this merger is confirmed,” said one speculator. “If there is a merger on the cards, then PartyGaming’s stock will soar. The recent acquisition of Foxy, the WPT, and Tony G Poker have all boosted the share price.

“Bwin will bring PartyGaming the slick sports betting operation it currently lacks. It will create an online betting behemoth. If the US opens up, PartyGaming’s ownership of the WPT will help it blast its way back to the top.

“Why Dikshit has chosen this time to sell his shares is a mystery. I think he genuinely has just got enough money. He is the world’s 207th richest man after all.”