Gamblers on a losing streak helped bookmaker and casino operator Stanley Leisure come up trumps on the London market.

Shares rose almost three per cent as the firm said it had been assisted by favourable results on the tables of its three London casinos.

The upturn contributed to a first-half trading performance which is expected to fully meet expectations.

In a trading statement for the period to October 27, Stanley Leisure said the fortunes of both its gaming and betting divisions had improved.

The company now has more than 600 betting shops and 40 casinos after it added five sites in July through a £44.3 million swoop for the Tower Casino group.

The firm said its three London sites, Crockfords, The Colony and The Mint, had starred. It said: "The strongest performance has been in the London casinos, where house win has been particularly favourable."