Playtech, the world's biggest provider of online gambling software, says it is encouraged by potential growth opportunities in the US. According to Playtech CEO Mor Weizer, the firm is holding talks with several prospective US. partners as it prepares for the possible opening of the US market.

In a recent trading update, Playtech reported increased revenues and announced that it was confident of its role in the changing regulatory landscape in the US. That change comes courtesy of a recent US Department of Justice announcement wherein the group stated that its earlier ban on internet gambling now applied only to sports betting.

"We have lots of potential customers that approached us or that we approached that would like to have us as their suppliers of online gaming products when the market opens up," Weizer said yesterday in an interview with Reuters.

The online software provider finished 2011 strong, with total Q4 revenues up 89 percent compared to the same period in 2010. Gross Q4 income increased 79 percent to €78.4 million compared to the same period in 2010. These numbers position the firm as a force to be reckoned with in emerging online gambling markets.

"There is a lot of work being done behind the scenes in various states by various local authorities. We have people on the ground now in the US working with us in order to monitor all these processes," Weizer added.