A trading update from casino operator, Stanley Leisure, reports an improvement in trading since its AGM on 10 September.

A good performance has been seen in traditional betting, with a “significant” uplift seen from the company’s fixed odds betting terminals.

The provincial and mid-market London casino estates continue to make good progress but, although its win margin has improved in the last two months, Crockfords has been unable to recoup the losses made to major players earlier in the year.

Stanley will be publishing its interim results for the six months to 26 October on 22 January 2004 and considers the first half for the group as a whole – given the ‘Crockfords effect’ – to have been satisfactory. Details: www.stanleyleisure.com