PartyGaming’s settlement of its US liabilities has given it an advantage over rivals in the consolidation of the online gambling market, according to Jim Ryan, chief executive.

The operator of PartyPoker followed up its $105m (£64.4m) settlement with the US Department of Justice in April with a £72m cash purchase in July of online bingo website Cashcade from Independent News & Media, beating a bid from 888. It paid £12.3m for the World Poker Tour.