15th Oct 2026 11:13
(Alliance News) - Rank Group PLC on Thursday reported net gaming revenue growth for its first quarter, and expects full-year operating profit in line with market guidance.
The Maidenhead, England-based gaming operator, whose brands include Grosvenor and Mecca, reported group like-for-like net gaming revenue of GBP216.1 million, up 5% year-on-year.
Digital LFL net gaming revenue increased 6% to GBP64.9 million. This reflected "strong performance from our core customer base, notably the Mecca brand online which grew 7%," Rank said. International Digital NGR increased by 4%.
Rank added that its UK business has continued to show resilient customer metrics, "despite the higher tax regime introduced in April 2026 and reduced above-the-line marketing spend."
Enracha venues' LFL NGR rose 7% to GBP10.9 million, with an 11% boost from electronic gaming, while Grosvenor LFL NGR rose 6% to GBP108.1 million. Rank said visits to Grosvenor venues grew 1%, with spends per visit up by 5%. Table gaming revenue rose 3% and electronic gaming rose 5%.
Gaming machines revenue climbed by 14%, which Rank said underlined its "confidence in further improvement as we optimise the performance of the machine estate."
Mecca LFL NGR, however, was flat at GBP32.2 million. Customer visits decreased by 3%, although spend per visit rose by the same amount.
"The prolonged period of hot weather in the UK was a significant contributor to the softness in customer visits to Mecca venues," Rank said.
"I am pleased with the revenue growth we have seen in the first quarter, particularly the progress we continue to make in terms of gaming machine performance in Grosvenor and the resilience of our UK digital business," commented Chief Executive Richard Harris.
Rank said that it "made a strong start to the new financial year," and expressed confidence that it will deliver full-year LFL operating profit "in line with market expectations". However, it noted that this guidance was "based on the current industry tax regime in the UK".
Harris commented: "Speculation regarding the upcoming [UK] budget continues to weigh heavily on investor sentiment, but our message has been clear: any increase to machine games duty will increase costs, reduce venue viability, lead to venue closures and job losses, reduce tax receipts and halt investment.
"HM Treasury recognised these economic arguments last year and, with the right conditions, we believe our casinos and bingo clubs can play an important role in the government's growth agenda."
Rank shares were 0.1% higher at 73.80 pence on Thursday in London.
By Emma Curzon, Alliance News reporter
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