The current PartyGaming Group managing director, John O'Malia, has informed the board that effective the end of February 2009, he will be leaving the Group.

Previously, O'Malia served as CEO of Gamebookers, which was acquired by PartyGaming in August of 2006, and subsequently joined the management team and was named to Party's board this past May.

"My time at PartyGaming has been extraordinary," explained O'Malia.

"We have made enormous strides in repositioning the Group’s gaming portfolio, something that I was determined to achieve before moving on."

"I am enormously proud of the progress we have made and the fact that many of the Group’s games are now once again recognized as being best in class."

PartyGaming was also happy with the work that O'Malia put in.

"Over the past two and a half years, John has made a significant contribution to the transformation and leadership of the Group," said Jim Ryan, Party's CEO and the person who will assume O'Malia's managing director reins.

"In particular, his vision and dedication were fundamental to the successful launch of the next generation of our signature PartyPoker.com product in September 2008."

"John is a natural leader and is keen to fulfil his potential in a more senior management role that will play to his considerable industry and management experience."