Partygaming said the winter weather was helping to boost business

Partygaming said it expected to beat 2005 profit forecasts thanks to growing numbers of punters and the successful launch of its new blackjack site.

Since they floated in June, Partygaming shares have had a rollercoaster ride.

They launched at 116p, but plunged to 67p in September after warning that new players were spending less money.

Since then Partygaming shares have scrambled back after the group ring-fenced its own poker players from those of rivals, which had been given permission to use its sites in return for a commission.

Game on

Partygaming also said the winter weather was helping lure more customers in, while about 40% of players were now also playing blackjack following its launch on 8 October.

It's a fantastic trading update Robin Chhabra, analyst See Partygaming's share price

"The increase in revenues following the introduction of blackjack to our PartyPoker.com customers has been substantial and has exceeded our expectations," the company said in a trading update.

Analysts had previously expected full-year pre-tax pre-exceptional profits of about �303m, but now they are predicting earnings of between �320m and �329m.

"It's a fantastic trading update," said analyst Robin Chhabra at Evolution Securities.