UPDATE 1-Online gamer 888 warns on FY profits

* World Cup said to impact trading

* Poker players down 18 percent

* Currency movements hit revenue by $5 million

(Adds detail)

LONDON, May 28 (Reuters) - British Internet gaming firm 888 (888.L) said on Friday it expected full-year profit to be significantly lower than market expectations with the impending soccer World Cup expected to further impact trading.

The company, which runs online casino, bingo and poker websites, said recent trading had been impacted by the continued weakness of online poker while the World Cup is likely to keep gamblers away from their computer screens.

888's daily average poker players declined about 18 percent between January and May which the company said was symptomatic of a decline across the industry.

Listed online gaming firms such as 888 and rival PartyGaming PRTY.L have seen their poker revenue impacted by competition from websites continuing to take bets from United States-based gamblers illegally.

888 pulled out of the U.S. in 2006 after legislation outlawing the industry was introduced.

The company said on Friday it had continued to experience a difficult trading environment across all its products except bingo.

It said revenue had also been impacted by the weakness of the euro and sterling against the U.S. dollar, which is its reporting currency.

888 said May revenue would have been $1.9 million higher had exchange rates remained at the level seen in January. For the year to date, currency movements have hit total revenue by about $5 million.

888 said it was still committed to making acquisitions.

Shares in 888 closed on Thursday at 67.25 pence, valuing the business at 232 million pounds.

(Reporting by Matt Scuffham; Editing by Rhys Jones)