With more changes to gambling regulations in Russia and Japan, as well as continued growth of the U.S. betting market, several suppliers of the international gaming industry are posting record profits for the year ending 2005.  One company to recently do so - surpassing even their own expectations - was the Australia-based slot machine maker, Aristocrat Leisure Ltd., who is predicting 2006 to be a record-breaking year in profit totals as well.

Last year, net profit for Aristocrat Leisure rose approximately 72%, putting the gaming company's year end totals just over $244 million.  Although mostly in line with predictions made by financial analysts, the earnings actually exceeded the window of expected profit set between $225 and $240 million.  In addition to the increase in overall demand for slot machines, Aristocrats Leisure reported that 2005 was a year in which many of their previous machines found in older casinos were replaced with newer ones, which is a testament to the company's commitment to technology development and improved product placement.

It is expected that with more proposed casino construction sites in North America, as well as the conversion of many horse-racing and dog tracks to include slot machines, the current year will keep Aristocrats Leisure expanding even more.  Whether the company plans to explore related gaming sectors or if they will be in on the expanding gambling boom in the UK is not known as of yet.