The future is global for Empire Online

Recently listed Internet marketing group Empire Online released its latest trading update this week, showcasing another strong quarterly performance with a gain in profits to US $13 million.

By the end of year 2005, management has plans to generate at least 50 percent of revenues from sources outside the United States, where presently 60 percent of its revenues originate.

Net gaming revenues from the group's casino and poker sites were estimated at US$25.3 million, a rise of 83 percent on the same period last year. The majority of these came from subsidiary Empire Poker's website, which contributed US$20.3 million.

CEO Noam Lanir said Empire was showing strong growth internationally, and has begun above-the-line advertising campaigns in the UK with plans to launch offline campaigns in four new countries during the next six months.

Casino revenues, which are derived from affiliate deals with major gambling sites like 888.com (Casino On Net) and Starluck Casino fell 9 percent to US$5 million, a result attributed to an extraordinary series of big jackpot wins by players.