The Rank Group has announced a robust start to its 2025/26 fiscal year, reporting a 9% like-for-like increase in Net Gaming Revenue (NGR), which reached £210.2m ($280.5m) for the first quarter.
The results, covering the three months ending 30 September 2025, were driven by strong performance across its business segments.
The company’s digital operations were the primary growth engine, with revenue climbing by 13%. Venue-based operations also saw solid year-on-year growth, rising by 7%.
The Grosvenor venues division was a standout performer, generating £102.7m in revenue, an 8% increase supported by a 5% rise in customer visits and a 3% increase in average spend.
Growth was particularly strong outside London at 10%, while London venues grew by 4%, boosted by the successful reopening of the refurbished Victoria Casino in July.
The Mecca division reported a 5% revenue increase to £35.5m, and the Enracha venues in Spain saw a 5% rise to £10.4m.
Digital gaming revenue totaled £61.6m for the Rank Group with UK operations growing by 15%, including a remarkable 31% from Grosvenor’s online platform.
However, digital revenue in Spain experienced a minor 1% dip due to platform capacity challenges, which the company expects to resolve in the second quarter with a new bingo platform rollout.
Rank confirmed significant investment in its properties, with 471 new gaming machines installed and a total of 850 planned by the end of the first half.
The positive results come after UK casino reforms passed in July 2025, which are expected to fuel further land-based expansion. The company will host a Capital Markets Event on 22 October 2025, with interim results scheduled for 29 January 2026.
John O’Reilly, Chief Executive, said:
“We have started the year strongly and are confident of delivering Group like-for-like operating profit in line with expectations, notwithstanding the significant cost increases we have incurred in employer national insurance contributions, the national living wage and the new statutory levy.”
He added:
“Speculation regarding tax changes in the upcoming Budget is, inevitably, hanging over the business. We are engaged with the Treasury on the implications of tax changes on the viability of our venues, employment levels, future investment and the customer.”
