Playtech said on Thursday it was confident of beating profit forecasts this year, with new contracts underpinning optimism at the online gambling software company.

(Corrects operating profit fall to 14 pct from 7 pct in headline, first paragraph)

Here are news stories, press reports and events, which may affect Greek financial markets on Thursday:

New Zealand jockey David Walker has been charged with betting on a rival horse and restraining his own mount to ensure he won the wager in a race at Palmerston North two weeks ago.

* H1 adjusted ebitda up 28 percent to 97.6 million euros

Czech betting company Fortuna Entertainment Group posted a 16.4 percent increase in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) in the first half boosted by the football World Cup.

New Jersey's Atlantic County, which includes the struggling gambling mecca of Atlantic City, saw the biggest employment drop of all U.S. metropolitan areas in July compared to the same time last year, according to preliminary U.S. Labor Department data on Wednesday.

Moody's Investors Service could downgrade to junk its rating on $195 million of New Jersey casino parking revenue bonds issued in 2005 because of a spate of Atlantic City casino closures, the credit ratings agency warned on Wednesday.

Moody's Investors Service could downgrade to junk its rating on $195 million of New Jersey casino parking revenue bonds issued in 2005 because of a spate of Atlantic City casino closures, the credit ratings agency warned on Wednesday.

* Sales rise 8 percent to 947.3 mln euros (Add sales, details)