The CEO of London listed online gambling group PartyGaming is displaying some confidence in the company, taking options for 3.5 million shares and reversing previous plans to sell some of his existing stock.

Under his planned sale programme, CEO Mitch Garber was to have sold shares between December 19 and 31, but this decision has been deferred. He now holds 8.75 million shares in the firm, more than double the amount he is obliged to hold in terms of his contract, reports the Reuters news agency.