Record year for 32Red

Shares in casino operator 32Red soared after record net gaming wins in 2010 allowed the group to recommence a final dividend payment.Net gaming wins jumped 38% to £15.7m, from £11.5m, as the number of active players increased from 25,187 to 30,933, boosted by the acquisitions of Nedplay casino and Floryntia Play Group in the first quarter of the year.As a result, it was a record year for group revenues which surged by a third to £16.95m, from £12.75m in 2009. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) jumped 90% to £1.65m.Pre-tax profit doubled to £1.05m, from £0.53m, while earnings per share increased from 0.76p to 1.50p. A final dividend of 0.5p per share was paid."The recruitment of good numbers of new players and our improved customer retention are tribute to the strength of the 32Red brand and to the continued excellent levels of service and entertainment provided to our players," said chief executive officer Ed Ware.Trading in the first two months of 2011 is said to be strong, with revenues up 29% on the same period the year before.