SOURCE: Reuters

(London, England) — Playtech (PTEC.L: Quote, Profile , Research), the world's biggest online gaming software firm, said on Friday it had signed a three-year deal to provide poker and specialist player-to-player games to one of Asia's largest online gaming firms.

Playtech did not name the firm but said the deal would enhance earnings during the second quarter of 2008.

"I have seen some (analyst) estimates that we feel confident with that it will be worth $4-5 million in revenue in 2008," Chief Executive Mor Weizer told Reuters.

Shares in British-based Playtech, which have risen around 9 percent in the last two months, rose 4 percent in early trading to 376 pence, valuing the firm at around 800 million pounds.

With both the games favoured by Asian gamblers and the local laws restricting online gambling differing from country to country, trying to span the continent can become an expensive headache for site operators, so many opt to buy off the shelf from firm's like Playtech.

Malaysia, Macau, Philippines, Cambodia, Korea, Vietnam, Laos Singapore and Japan all allow some forms of online gambling, while China's government is expected to gradually allow new avenues for gaming.

Weizer said under the new deal Playtech would provide Asian favourites Do-Di-Zhu, Cho-Da-Di and 13-card Poker and add more games through next year.

He added Playtech was still looking to buy up rivals to bolster its number one position.

"Acquisitions remain a target for us ... We are moving forward with that and analysing the market."