Rank Group Forecasts Profit Beat Despite Settlement Costs

Rank Group says its annual profit will come in ahead of expectations, even as it sets aside £5m for a regulatory settlement with the Gambling Commission. 

Read more Tribal Gaming Leaders Take Fight Over Prediction Markets to Washington

The operator, which runs Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo, reported strong trading across both land‑based and digital businesses in the year to 30 June 2026. Growth in gaming machines and a rebound in digital helped offset higher taxes and compliance costs, leaving underlying operating profit at no less than £76m. 

Chief Executive Richard Harris said the performance showed resilience in the face of “significant cost and taxation headwinds.” “We have worked hard to mitigate the impact of the RGD increase, whilst protecting digital revenues and optimising performance in our land‑based businesses,” he added.

Net Gaming Revenue rises to 6%

Rank Group reported that its full‑year underlying operating profit will come in ahead of expectations, with at least £76m delivered for the year ending 30 June 2026. 

Net Gaming Revenue rose 6% to £834.1m, supported by growth across Grosvenor venues, digital operations, Mecca, and Enracha. Grosvenor venues grew 5% year‑on‑year, with gaming machine performance improving 12% in the final quarter after optimisation work.

The digital business also posted strong results, up 12% in Q4, despite the increase in Remote Gaming Duty to 40% from April. Rank said it protected customer incentives and performance marketing while cutting costs elsewhere, helping to secure revenue growth.

Rank set aside £5m for regulatory settlement 

Alongside the trading update, Rank confirmed it has proposed a £5m payment to the Gambling Commission in lieu of a financial penalty. 

Read more England vs. Argentina box score: Live stats from World Cup semifinal, including Lionel Messi, Harry Kane

The settlement relates to compliance failings at Grosvenor Casinos Limited between November 2024 and May 2025. The Commission has indicated it is minded to accept the proposal, and Rank has already implemented remedial actions during the first half of 2025/26. 

The provision will be included as a separately disclosed item in the financial statements.

Harris noted, “We have engaged constructively with the Gambling Commission to address historical compliance issues dating back to a prior year and remedial actions were substantially implemented during the first half of 2025/26.” 

£100m in operating profit still the goal

Despite higher taxes and settlement costs, Rank remains focused on its medium‑term ambition to deliver at least £100m in operating profit. 

Harris said gaming machine revenue growth remains a “significant opportunity” for the Group, while digital continues to perform strongly. “Our UK digital business has performed well since taxes increased in April and we are continuing to see growth in our Grosvenor business as the machine performance optimisation work progresses,” he explained. 

Rank will publish its preliminary results for 2025/26 on 13 August 2026. Harris concluded: “The Group remains focussed on our ambition to deliver at least £100m operating profit in the medium term, evolving Rank’s longer term strategy and maximising shareholder value.”

Read more England vs. Argentina projected lineups, starting 11 for World Cup semifinal game in Atlanta