PartyGaming in tie-up with Five

LONDON (Reuters) - PartyGaming (PRTY.L), the world's biggest listed online gaming company, said on Monday it had signed an exclusive deal with broadcaster Channel 5 to create "Five"-branded bingo and casino gaming services.

The online service, which will be operated by PartyGaming and promoted by Five, will launch in the second half of 2009.

The agreement is the fourth business-to-business deal to be announced by PartyGaming in the current year.

"We are confident of securing more B2B deals in the coming months as we match our eGaming talents and assets with the consumer reach of other companies around the world," said Chief Executive Jim Ryan.

PartyGaming and rival 888 (888.L) are focussing on business-to-business activities to offset tougher trading in their consumer-facing divisions.

(Reporting by Matt Scuffham)