Strong sales of chips to casinos in Asia helped Gaming Partners International to achieve improved results for the first six months of the year.

The US-based company saw revenues of $32.6m and net income of $2.6m, compared with $30.9m and $2.7m for the same period last year. Gross profit stood at $10.9m, compared with $12.3m a year earlier.

The rise in revenue was attributed to a $3m increase in the sale of gaming chips to Macau, although this was offset by a decrease of $2.3m in the sale of furniture, accessories and layouts in the Americas.

"Asian results were offset by declining activity in Europe and the Americas, which have been hard hit by the continuing economic downturn," said Greg Gronau, GPI’s president and chief executive officer. "We have successfully expanded our RFID casino currency solutions through the delivery of RFID hardware and software products to Galaxy Macau.

"As this business grows, it has the potential to provide recurring maintenance revenue, while providing substantially enhanced security for our customers’ casino currency."

GPI was recently chosen to provide gaming chips and plaques for the new Sands Cotai Central Project in Macau, with the order totaling nearly $3m and due for delivery in 2012.