The accounts of the Australian company, which is owned by British parent company Bet365, showed its annual profit had increased to $1.3 million, from $1.2m last year.

The two years of profit followed five years of losses by the corporate bookmaker, which obtained an Australian bookmaking licence in February 2011 in the Northern Territory and began taking bets in Australia 2012.

“Year-on-year customer numbers again increased, continuing the trend of previous years and supporting the directors’ view that the company will remain profitable and therefore continue to deliver a positive financial contribution to the group,” the company said in its accounts.

“Overall revenues from the company’s sports betting activities were $115m during the period, up on the prior year’s $101.4m.”

The accounts also showed that advertising expense had increased from $24.6m to $30.3m.

Online bookmakers had beefed up marketing ahead of new advertising regulations and to also gain marketshare in a competitive industry.

“Significant marketing expenditure was incurred in the period, as the company continues to build the Bet365 brand in the Australian market,” the company said.