Online Poker Giant 888 Holdings has blamed the Euro 2008 football championships for a 10% fall in revenues at its Pacific Poker web site.

Net gaming revenue was £10.2 million in the three months to June 30 — the same as in 2007 and down a TENTH on the previous three months.

Gibraltar-based 888 said the slowdown was “in line with general industry weakness during the Euro 2008 football tournament”. Last month, PartyGaming also blamed an identical 10% fall on Euro 2008.

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Revenues per active poker customer during the second quarter were also 9 per cent DOWN compared to the first three months this year, to £59.

But revenues from the group’s core casino operation were 1 per cent up at  £17.8 million. And overall second quarter net gaming revenues were FOUR PER CENT better at £34 million thanks to new operations such as bingo and sports betting.

888 said the number of active poker players FELL 1 per cent during the second quarter while active casino players ROSE 1 per cent.