Online gaming software provider Playtech expects to move up to London's main market from AIM early next year, Chief Executive Mor Weizer told Reuters in an interview on Thursday.
"I don't think it will happen this year but definitely soon afterwards. The work has begun and we are committed to moving up to the main list. I think it is something our shareholders would be pleased with," Weizer said.
Weizer said the company, which is the third-biggest on AIM, expects to appoint a new finance director by the end of 2010, so the new person will be in place before the move to London's Official List takes place.
Weizer said he was encouraged by moves in the United States, led by Rep. Barney Frank, to overturn 2006 legislation which effectively banned the industry. "It is definitely moving in the right direction and there is genuine progress being made," he said.
Earlier, Estonia-based Playtech said first half EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) rose by 20 percent to 54.2 million euros ($68.8 million). It is paying an interim dividend of 9.4 euro cents per share, up 6 percent on the year before.