Malta-based online gambling operator Interwetten saw H1 profits quadruple after tightening its marketing spending.

Interwetten, which has a strong presence in German-speaking markets, said revenue rose 16% to €25.7m in the first six months of 2015. Growth was particularly strong in Q2, with sports betting up 12% and casino revenue up 31%. H1 profit rose more than 300% to over €5m.

Board spokesman Werner Becher credited the profit surge to more efficient marketing and CRM spending. Marketing costs were 21% of H1 revenue, while customer bonuses were just 8%, figures Becher claimed were well below industry standards.

The numbers are all the more impressive given this year’s lack of a marquee sporting event like last summer’s FIFA World Cup. Becher said the boffo H1 results had put the company on target to “clearly outperform” its full-year objectives of €1b in gambling turnover, €50m in revenue and €10m in profits.