This one hit the markets running today. Despite negative publicity it was well supported so I jumped in for a small holding--anyone else joining in?? I am hoping for a good run up before the shorters get going.

maestro headline in the business column in sunday times online that party gaming and 888 gaming sites are in preliminary talks re a 1.9 billion pound possible merger. Todays times on line have a look and see what you think. Looks like your party gaming shares will shoot up tomorrow every one will be buying hoping that this will go ahead.

Frampton, you are right....must be mad, me! I have EDITed the earlier posting as it affected both fall% and Yield.

At the time I was unaware of two pieces of News:
1) That PRTY and ANOther might merge to boost their "play-value", others here think this might help the sp....(Sun Times discusses this and here, too)
2) UK Government to have Euro-Plus talks aimed at countering the US "heavy-hand" - folk will be aware that Prohibition in 1920 created the financial muscle for organised crime (esp US_based) which we have to this day. Legit outlets for gambling bring in plenty of revenue to the Exchequer and some regulation can reduce its worst effects.
Thanks also to Maestro for yr comments.
I have to take this on the chin, but the two above events.... look like I have a slightly greater chance of winning (for once!).

So, the choices are: buy in short term & hope for a bounce on rumour.
Buy in for the long term & expect PRTY shares to be re-issued as .........? (which in itself is going to be interesting as, if PRTY & 888 get together, how will they value each other's shares?)
Or don't buy at all, I hear someone say!

Is it the case that EK lost heavily? Shame.

He shorted PRTY and NLR but lost out on SBT.

I am puzzled ..... if all the open and admitted talk of a merger between PRTY and 888, why have neither SPs moved?

888 has gone up 10% since the news.
Also, if these two are now in bed together, who is knocking at 365/UKB's door?

wish someone damn well would!!

The gaming shares are not moving today because the government is today having a debate on online gambling restriction...looks like more laws coming into UK as well...these shares may go down further

Have made a couple of comments on the GOO thread about PRTY ...... in very brief, after consideration i still think this share should be avoided ..... company cannot possibly justify a cap of 1.2 billion when all 80/90% of its biz came from US and its gaming site is now apparently deserted.

market seems to know best!

I can't believe that you even considered it! Maybe SBT as a short term punt. It's reasonably easy to make +/-10% with SBT, but if the PRTY / 888 venture doesn't matierialise, what then.........? Scary thought. IMO watch only.

almost got greedy! ..... almost fatal error of assuming that just because price has bombed, it must be cheap

IMO, the PRTY founders and staff were OTT greedy during the initial float. The
limited free-float may have helped to push up prices and PRTY into the FTSE100 but they are now a liability to the SP. I don't think the ordinary shareholders will receive much, if any, of the cash that PRTY still holds.

There are probably money to be made if one play it righ or have access to reliable insider information but too risky for me for now.

All IMHO, DYOR, NAG etc

Having bought at 30p I'm biased, but spread is still tight....I agree there is uncertainty over any Merger - but wonder if that isn't doing "something" rather than nothing? For, it doesn't increase the number of players, just moves them about and in all probability some are registered on both Sites.
/
About the UK Government:
The Politic Show on BBC2, ran with the Ascot-story and comments on the US heavy-hand were rife, indeed it has more to do with US-Election than saving Americans from their addictions ....and I read that PRTY has plans to offer so-called Free gambling on things that aren't covered by the new (US)Laws.

In the UK, the Government sees the US-law issue as dictating internal policy and we know UK Gov is keen to have "SuperCasinos" ( but Why? - to add to the UK TAX-take!)....so arranging some framework that is acceptable to Europeans and Asia "might" ward-off any further encroachment of UK Sovergnity

However, comments (here) about PRTY Bosses and the Lauch Money are worrying - perhaps these Execs need to be removed from Office....(US - help!)...to be replaced by a reigeme where Players' Losses don't ruin their fun.
This is a business that is a "route to loot" - there is nothing to manufacture and distribution is "almost free" .....so DO NOT BE Greedy, should be their cornerstone/Motto.........as to the SP......Dunno - maybe it was overvalued - maybe it's oversold......OR, NOT?..... PRTY recovered from a recent Low - so 29/30 is already higher+steady than it was......

I'm Holding ....for some more news.
Have they had an AGM...did anyone go, ...what was the mood?

hangon,

Outlook may be less gloomy if Democrat controls both houses and perhaps even a Democrat president.

My opinions on PRTY are just that, opinions.

I avoided the float and investment because I sensed excessive naked greed. TOO much was being taken off the table. Ordinary punters usually carry the risk and provided riches to a few.

Very cautious. Still waiting for sub-20p before making a decision. Not fussed if I miss out. With low overhead and running costs, PRTY should always be profitable, as long as you can trust the integrity of the executives and staff not to line the pockets of themselves, their relatives and associates first.

Again, all IMHO, NAG, DYOR ...

take over on cards,

who says and even if so, at what price? ...... cannot see any way that PRTY merits even its current market cap of 1.2 billion - can you?

In the F.T. 4th Nov:
"An insider said PRTY was losing interest in 888 & was looking at strategic deals, with some of BWIN's empire & smaller size bingo & casino companies thought to be among it's targets".

and if you read that comment properly, it is all unsubstantiated waffle

Ouch! I don't think Roger Blitz, the Leisure Industries correspondent to the F.T. is going to take kindly to that comment. :o)
And surely unsubstantiated rumour is what fuels the M & A gravy train!!!