Rank Group Q1 Net Gaming Revenue Rises 5% on Digital, Venue Growth

The Rank Group Plc grew group like-for-like net gaming revenue 5% to £216.1 million in the first quarter of its 2026/27 financial year, the three months ended 30 september 2026, according to the company’s Q1 2026/27 trading update published on 15 oktober 2026. On a channel basis, digital like-for-like revenue rose 6% while venues like-for-like revenue rose 5%.

The announcement was released at 07:00 through the London Stock Exchange’s Regulatory News Service, according to the timestamp on Rank’s regulatory news feed. The company said its first quarter covers the period from 1 juli 2026, to 30 september 2026, and that all comparisons in the update are with the same period in 2025/26. Rank defines net gaming revenue as gross gaming revenue less customer incentives, while its like-for-like measure excludes the effects of club closures, foreign exchange movements, business disposals and new markets that have not been open for more than 12 months.

Digital and Venues Results

Digital like-for-like net gaming revenue came to £64.9 million for the quarter, up 6% on the prior year. Rank said the growth was driven by 6% growth in its UK business, reflecting a strong performance from the group’s core customer base, with the Mecca brand online growing 7%. International Digital net gaming revenue grew 4%.

The company said the UK business continued to demonstrate resilient customer metrics despite the higher tax regime introduced in april 2026 and a reduced level of above-the-line marketing spend. Rank said its focus on the customer proposition and the overall marketing spend balance remains a priority as the wider digital landscape continues to reset.

Grosvenor venues delivered like-for-like net gaming revenue of £108.1 million, up 6% on the prior year, with customer visits up 1% and spend per visit up 5%. At a product level, gaming machine revenue grew 14%, table gaming revenue grew 3% and electronic gaming grew 5%. Rank said the growth in gaming machine revenue underlined its confidence in further improvement as it optimises the performance of the machine estate.

During the quarter, Rank closed three venues in Swansea, Reading Central and Sunderland, which the company said were no longer economically viable in the medium term.

Mecca and Enracha Venues

Mecca venues like-for-like net gaming revenue was flat against the prior year at £32.2 million. Customer visits were down 3% on the prior year, with spend per visit up 3%. Rank said the prolonged period of hot weather in the UK was a significant contributor to the softness in customer visits to Mecca venues.

Rank said Enracha venues continued to perform well in the period, growing like-for-like net gaming revenue 7% to £10.9 million. The company said the Enracha result was driven by 11% growth in electronic gaming.

Outlook and Chief Executive Comments

Rank said the group has made a strong start to the new financial year and that, based on the current industry tax regime in the UK, it is confident of delivering group like-for-like operating profit in line with market expectations for the current year.

Chief Executive Richard Harris said he was pleased with the revenue growth the group achieved in the first quarter. Harris highlighted in particular the progress Rank continues to make on gaming machine performance in Grosvenor and the resilience of its UK digital business.

Harris said speculation regarding the upcoming Budget continues to weigh heavily on investor sentiment, adding that the company’s 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 will announce its interim results for the six months ended 31 december 2026, on 28 januari 2027.