Unfortunately Middlesborough were unable to bring home the UEFA Cup for their shirt sponsors, 888.com, but things are looking otherwsie rosy for the gaming operator.

They are one of the bigboys in the sector, and financial results released to the City this week reflect the fact that are getting bigger and bigger, and it's all thanks to us, the world’s poker players.

For the first quarter of 2006, net gaming revenue rose to $84 million, up 42% on last year.

Of this, revenue from poker only rose to $39 million, an increase of 95% compared to last year.