Rank Group reports 5% Q1 growth. Rank Group reported a 5% year-on-year increase in like-for-like net gaming revenue to €255.3m (£216.1m) for the three months ended 30 September 2026. The update showed growth in digital, Grosvenor and Enracha, flat revenue at Mecca venues, and confidence in full-year like-for-like operating profit in line with market expectations. Group revenue guidance. Rank Group reported a 5% year-on-year rise in like-for-like net gaming revenue to €255.3m (£216.1m) for the first quarter of 2026/27. The update covered the three months ended 30 September 2026. The group said it remained confident of delivering group like-for-like operating profit in line with market expectations for the year. That outlook was based on the current UK industry tax regime. Digital like-for-like net gaming revenue rose 6% to €76.7m (£64.9m). UK digital revenue also increased 6%, while Mecca online grew 7%. International digital net gaming revenue rose 4% in the period. Rank said digital growth came despite the higher UK tax regime introduced in April 2026 and reduced above-the-line marketing spend. Grosvenor and Mecca performance. Grosvenor venues reported a 6% rise in like-for-like net gaming revenue to €127.7m (£108.1m). Customer visits increased 1%, while spend per visit rose 5%. Gaming-machine revenue grew 14%, table gaming increased 3%, and electronic gaming rose 5%. Rank closed Grosvenor venues in Swansea, Reading Central and Sunderland because they were no longer economically viable in the medium term. Mecca venues recorded flat like-for-like net gaming revenue at €38.0m (£32.2m). Customer visits fell 3%, while spend per visit increased 3%. The company attributed part of the softness to a prolonged period of hot weather in the UK. Enracha venues recorded a 7% increase in like-for-like net gaming revenue to €12.9m (£10.9m), driven by 11% growth in electronic gaming. Budget concerns and reporting timeline. Chief Executive Richard Harris said speculation about the upcoming UK Budget weighed on investor sentiment. He also warned about a potential increase in Machine Games Duty. Harris said any increase to that duty would increase costs, reduce venue viability, and lead to venue closures and job losses. He said it would also reduce tax receipts and halt investment. Richard Harris, Chief Executive of The Rank Group, said: "Speculation regarding the upcoming 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 said its profit outlook reflected the current UK industry tax regime. The group maintained that its casinos and bingo clubs could support the Government's growth agenda if the operating conditions were appropriate. The first-quarter trading update was issued on 15 October 2026. Rank plans to publish interim results for the six months ending 31 December 2026 on 28 January 2027.

Having closed three casinos, Rank warns of more if Machine Games Duty increases. Having been forced to close three casinos in the last quarter, British operator Rank has warned that the proposed increase in Machine Games Duty will lead to more closures in the future. Richard Harris, Chief Executive of Rank, operator of the Mecca bingo and Grosvenor Casino brands, said: "Speculation regarding the upcoming 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." During the quarter Rank closed three venues in Swansea, Reading Central and Sunderland, which were no longer economically viable in the medium term. At a product level, gaming machines revenue grew 14 per cent, underlining its confidence in further improvement as G3 Newswire optimise the performance of the machine estate. Table gaming revenue grew three per cent and electronic gaming grew five per cent. The prolonged period of hot weather in the UK was a significant contributor to the softness in customer visits to Mecca venues. Enracha venues continued to perform well with Q1 LFL NGR growth of seven per cent, driven by 11 per cent growth in electronic gaming. Mecca venues LFL NGR growth was flat in the period. Customer visits were down three per cent on prior year, with spend per visit up three per cent. During the first quarter, overall revenues for Rank grew five per cent to £216.1m, with online gaming up six per cent and land-based up five per cent. Digital LFL NGR growth of six per cent was driven by six per cent growth in the UK business, reflecting strong performance from its core customer base, notably the Mecca brand online which grew seven per cent. The UK business continues to demonstrate resilient customer metrics despite the higher tax regime introduced in April 2026 and reduced above the-line marketing spend. Harris said: "Its focus on the customer proposition and overall marketing spend balance remains a priority as the wider digital landscape continues to reset. International Digital NGR grew four per cent. Grosvenor venues LFL NGR grew six per cent, with a 1% increase in visits and a five per cent increase in spend per visit. The Group has made a strong start to the new financial year and, based on the current industry tax regime in the UK, is confident of delivering Group LFL operating profit in line with market expectations for the current year. Harris: "I am pleased with the revenue growth G3 Newswire has seen in the first quarter, particularly the progress G3 Newswire continue to make in terms of gaming machine performance in Grosvenor and the resilience of its UK digital business.

The Rank Group posts 5% Q1 Revenue growth to £216.1m as CEO Richard Harris warns against proposed UK tax hikes. Editorial Standards Fact-Checked ⊘ Independence Commercial Disclosure GC AI Summary The Rank Group reported a 5% rise in Q1 total group revenue to £216.1m, with Grosvenor Casinos up 6% to £108.1m and the digital division up 6% to £64.9m, while Mecca Bingo venues remained flat at £32.2m. CEO Richard Harris cautioned that any increase to Machine Games Duty would raise costs, threaten venue viability, cause closures and job losses, and reduce tax receipts. Harris noted that HM Treasury had previously acknowledged these economic arguments, and called for the right conditions to allow casinos and bingo clubs to contribute to the government's growth agenda. Key Takeaways Q1 Revenue Rise - Total group revenue grew by 5% to £216.1m, supported by a 6% increase in Grosvenor Casino revenues to £108.1m Venue Metrics - Grosvenor venues saw a 1% increase in visits and a 5% rise in spend per visit, while Mecca Bingo revenue remained flat at £32.2m Digital Growth - Rank's online division recorded a 6% rise in revenue to £64.9m, bolstered by solid UK and international performances Budget Warnings - CEO Richard Harris warned that a mooted 20% increase in Machine Games Duty would threaten venue viability and jobs Broader Industry Concern - The warning echoes similar statements from Entain CEO Stella David regarding the damaging impact of potential high street tax increases Fact-checked Sources verified before publication The Rank Group has reported its Q1 trading figures, posting a 5% increase in total group revenue to £216.1m, driven by strong growth across Grosvenor Casinos and its digital division. Analyzing venue performance and digital expansion. During the first quarter, Grosvenor Casino properties performed strongly with a 6% revenue boost to £108.1m, underpinned by a 1% increase in customer visits and a 5% rise in spend per visit. Meanwhile, revenue at Mecca Bingo clubs remained flat at £32.2m, which CEO Richard Harris attributed to the unseasonably hot and dry summer experienced across the UK. Although Mecca customer visits dipped by 3%, spend per visit increased by 3%. Additionally, Enracha venues delivered a 7% revenue increase to £10.9m. On the digital front, Rank's online division, encompassing Grosvenor and Mecca igaming sites alongside Spanish brands YoCasino and YoBingo, achieved a 6% revenue rise to £64.9m. The UK digital business expanded by 6%, featuring a notable 7% growth in Mecca Bingo online revenues despite higher tax regimes introduced in April 2026 and reduced above-the-line marketing spend. International digital Net Gaming Revenue grew by 4%. Executive commentary. Richard Harris, CEO of Rank Group, stated: "Speculation regarding the upcoming 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 ." Harris added: "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 ." Echoing similar concerns across the sector, Entain CEO Stella David also warned against tax hikes in her group's Q3 results released on the same day, highlighting the severe risks facing high street betting shops. Dimitri is an iGaming expert with nearly a decade of experience and a knack for crafting content that speaks directly to the iGaming crowd. He understands affiliate marketing, player psychology, and search algorithms, which enables him to write engaging, data-driven articles. 1 source verified before publication. This news is an official press release that traces directly to official documents by the Rank Group plc. How Gamblers Connect verify sources Rank Group plc Richard Harris, CEO of Rank Group · October 15, 2026 Official Body Primary "Speculation regarding the upcoming 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." Gamblers Connect only publishes verified news and official news from reputable software providers. Read its full editorial standards