Bet365 Australia posts first annual profit since 2012 launch

The Australian division of UK online sports betting operator Bet365 has posted its first ever annual profit, although just barely.

On Monday, Bet365 Australia filed papers with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission showing that it eked out a pre-tax profit of A$1.2m (US $960k) in the 12 months ending March 26. However modest, it’s infinitely preferable to the net losses of A$10.9m and A$41m the company reported in fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Bet365 Australia’s online betting revenue totaled A$101.4m in the past fiscal year, 5% better than the previous year, albeit barely one-fifth of the revenue generated by the down under operations of UK rival Paddy Power Betfair. Bet365’s Australian turnover topped A$2.5b, equal to around 17% of the country’s online wagering market.

The site’s growth came despite holding the line on marketing costs at A$24m, while “levy expenses” paid to racing and sporting bodies decreased by about A$1m to A$25m. Customer accounts continued to grow in number year-on-year, leading management to conclude that “the company will remain profitable” and directors are “committed to maintaining the present level of operations to support that aim.”