MONTREAL -- The Amaya online gaming company is reporting a big jump in profit as well as a permanent replacement for its former chief executive officer, who stepped aside early this year in order to deal with charges laid by Quebec's securities regulator.
The Montreal-based company (TSX:AYA) says the CEO's post is going permanently to Rafi Ashkenazi, who has held the position on an interim basis since March.
He succeeds David Baazov -- a co-founder of Amaya, which became a prominent global player in online gaming after it purchased PokerStars under Baazov's leadership.
Amaya says Baazov resigned all his positions with the company on Thursday.
It also announced a big jump in net earnings in the second quarter from continuing operations , as well as 24.5 per cent higher adjusted earnings and a 10 per cent increase in revenue -- all reported in U.S. currency.
Amaya's adjusted earnings rose to $89.7 million or 46 cents per share from $72.1 million or 36 cents per share.
Net earnings from continuing operations more than tripled to $22.5 million from $6.4 million, with earnings per share rising to 12 cents from three cents.
Revenue rose to $285.9 million in the quarter, from $259.5 million in the comparable period last year.
Amaya's brands include PokerStars, Full Tilt and others that claim a total of 103 million registered customers.
