London’s FTSE 250 was down 0.`19% at 22,941 in afternoon trade on Monday.
Playtech shares soared 58% after Australian gaming machine maker Aristocrat Leisure said it was tabling a £2.1bn offer for the European gambling software manufacturer.
Shares in gambling firms Rank, and 888 Holdings gained on the news.
Darktrace continued to make gains after the cyber defence company last week lifted its year-over-year revenue growth forecast to between 37% and 39% from previous guidance of 35% to 37%.
On the downside, shares in budget airline easyJet fell as oil prices tipped above $83. Cruise line operator Carnival was also lower.
National Express shares fell after the company was given an extension to table a formal offer for rival transport operator Stagecoach.
FTSE 250 – Risers
Playtech (PTEC) 678.50p 58.08%
Diversified Energy Company (DEC) 112.80p 5.03%
888 Holdings (888) 414.80p 4.22%
Rank Group (RNK) 166.00p 2.98%
Network International Holdings (NETW) 337.60p 2.80%
Darktrace (DARK) 900.50p 2.45%
C&C Group (CDI) (CCR) 254.80p 2.25%
VinaCapital Vietnam Opportunity Fund Ltd. (VOF) 490.00p 2.08%
Vietnam Enterprise Investments (DI) (VEIL) 745.00p 2.05%
Volution Group (FAN) 504.00p 1.92%
FTSE 250 – Fallers
Babcock International Group (BAB) 325.30p -4.74%
easyJet (EZJ) 619.40p -3.85%
National Express Group (NEX) 227.80p -3.56%
Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 1,753.50p -3.55%
Greencore Group (CDI) (GNC) 131.00p -3.11%
Carnival (CCL) 1,562.00p -3.03%
FirstGroup (FGP) 90.10p -2.70%
Hays (HAS) 162.30p -2.70%
Vesuvius (VSVS) 452.20p -2.54%
Shaftesbury (SHB) 600.00p -2.44%
