UK-listed online gambling operator GVC Holdings says it plans to resume raining dividends on shareholders following a solid H1 performance.

In the six months ending June 30, GVC says pro forma numbers – which treat GVC’s mid-2015 acquisition of Bwin.party as if it was already under the GVC tent in H1 2015 – saw revenue rise 8% to €432m and earnings improve 42% to €104.4m. Adjusted profit before tax more than doubled to €51.3m.

Turnover at GVC’s sports betting brands (Bwin, Sportingbet) gained 4% to €2.33b while keeping marketing spending to 21% of net revenue. Mobile numbers were particularly strong, with sports turnover up 55% while casino and games nearly doubled. Sports revenue was up 10% to €163.4m while gaming was up 20% to €157.2m

The Bwin.party sports labels benefited from a higher margin – 10% vs. 7.7% in H1 2015 – but GVC claims the figures also benefited from improved trading and risk management, including “the deliberate strategy to exit some unprofitable turnover.” GVC says it also convinced more Bwin bettors to try their luck in the site’s gaming verticals, resulting in a 27% rise in Bwin casino revenue.