PartyGaming, the world’s largest internet poker company, on Thursday reported a 57 per cent fall in pre-tax profit to $138.9m (£70.8m) following the US government’s crackdown on online gambling last year.

Revenue for the year to December 31 increased 13 per cent to $1.1bn, however, strong growth in Europe, the Middle East and Africa offset a 5 per cent decline in the US market.