European gaming operator Betclic Everest Group has posted its first-ever profitable year after being boosted by wagering on the 2014 Fifa World Cup national team football tournament.

The privately-owned French company, which was formed by entrepreneur Stéphane Courbit in 2008, said that it had recorded net gains of €1.1m ($1.23m) in the financial year 2014, compared to a loss of €8m in 2013. Group earnings before interest and tax grew by 53 per cent to €40m and turnover was also up 15 per cent to €300m.

Isabelle Andres, chief executive of Betclic Everest, said that she was pleased with the operator’s progress in 2014. She added: "For the first time in its history, the group created in 2008 posted a net profit last year."

The company said that it was boosted by an uplift in wagering and player activity recorded during the football World Cup and also by cutting its marketing budget.

Betclic Everest is made up of brands Betclic, bet-at-home.com, Everest, Expekt and Monte Carlo Casino. It is owned by the LOV Group and Société des Bains de Mer of Monaco. LOV has operations across four sectors in more than 25 countries and employs 4,500 people.