Party Markets Online Spreadbetting

Launched in July 2008, PartyMarkets enables gamblers to purchase Contracts for Difference (CFD's) and place spread bets on economic fluctuations, both of which empower users to wager on the rises and falls of global markets.

Party products
This is a new step for PartyGaming, which traditionally deals with more mainstream gaming such as poker rooms and online casinos. The initiative was made possible by the alliance formed with City Index, who provide retail derivative trading through CFD's, spread betting and foreign exchange options.

While still in stages of development, PartyMarkets aims to reach customers in the UK, EU and Asia, giving them the opportunity to trade in financial markets around the world.

Not as simple as it seems
Even though gamblers don't own the assets that they're trading with PartyMarkets (they simply wager on whether the asset will change in worth and by how much), this type of gaming requires a high level of user skill and knowledge. The company even warns new users that costs can quickly out-grow initial deposits.

PartyMarkets is regulated by the Financial Services Authority in the UK, which is necessary considering the complexity of the auditing involved.