UK-listed online gambling operator 888 Holdings says it achieved an “impressive result” in H1 despite nearly $20m in new taxes.

Revenue in the six months ending June 30 slipped 2% to $220m, although revenue would have risen 9% absent the triple whammy of currency exchange rates, $5.1m in new value added tax on the European continent and $14.4m in point-of-consumption tax in the UK. Earnings fell 17% to $49m and profit before tax was down 41% to $20m.

888’s B2C operations reported revenue up 2% to $196m while B2B revenue was off 10% to $29m. 888’s flagship casino vertical improved 1% to $108.7m, despite a rise in the number of jackpots at its proprietary Millionaire Genie game from two to seven during the period.

888’s usually reliable poker product suffered a rare setback, falling 4% to $46.2m despite active player ranks increasing 4% and 2% in Q1 and Q2 respectively. Regardless, 888 exec chairman Brian Mattingley said the poker vertical had “outperformed” in a “highly competitive and challenging market.”