HomeNewsNational News

Rank reports modest improvement

May 7 2008

Gaming firm Rank today said there had been a “modest improvement” in trading at its Mecca bingo halls, despite a 13% fall in admissions this year.

Mecca’s like-for-like revenues declined 14% in the 17 weeks to April 27, compared with the 17.3% fall seen in the final four months of last year.

The industry is under pressure because of a UK-wide smoking ban, new gambling laws and a double tax burden.

Rank, which also operates Grosvenor Casinos and the Blue Square betting business, said it had been encouraged by its performance in the face of a difficult trading environment.

He told shareholders ahead of its annual meeting: “We have achieved a degree of success in adjusting to the smoking ban and the new gaming regulations and have taken timely action to protect profits.

“Nevertheless we are conscious that the difficult consumer climate is likely to make 2008 a challenging year for the gaming sector.”

Site Tools