Rank Group Warns Higher Taxes Could Threaten UK Casinos and Bingo
United Kingdom.- 14 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Rank Group has warned that further tax increases on land-based gambling could seriously affect the commercial viability of casinos and bingo halls in the UK, despite delivering higher revenue and underlying profit during FY2025/26.
The group, which owns brands including Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo, said rising taxation and regulatory pressure remain among the most significant risks facing its retail operations.
Financial Performance
For the financial year running from June 2025 to June 2026, Rank Group reported 5% growth in Net Gaming Revenue to £835 million.
Underlying EBITDA increased 15% to £138.3 million, while underlying operating profit rose 21% to £78.6 million.
Reported operating profit, however, fell 7% from £60.1 million to £55.7 million.
Profit after tax declined 23% to £29.9 million, reflecting, among other factors, the impact of higher taxation.
Strong Digital Growth
Digital remained one of the strongest parts of the business.
Underlying like-for-like digital NGR increased 8% to £248.5 million.
During the fourth quarter, like-for-like digital revenue rose 12%, a performance Rank described as particularly encouraging.
The company nevertheless expects digital profitability to decline during FY2026/27 following the increase in Remote Gaming Duty from 21% to 40%.
Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca Bingo
Within the land-based business, average weekly NGR at Grosvenor Casinos increased 5% year-on-year to £7.6 million.
Rank reported growth in both customer visits and spend per visit.
Part of the improvement was attributed to the rollout of 850 gaming machines across 37 casinos during the year.
At Mecca Bingo, like-for-like NGR increased 4%, although Rank closed nine venues it considered commercially unviable.
Statements
Rank Group CEO Richard Harris said:
“Tax proposals from anti-gambling campaigners continue to cast clouds over a regulated industry that is proud to support jobs across the country, deliver great hospitality experiences to millions of customers and Rank paid over £225 million in taxes and duties last year.”
He added:
“Tax increases for clubs like ours, with high levels of supervision and operating on tight margins, will swiftly lead to lower tax receipts as much-loved bingo halls and casinos will be forced to close.”
Harris also warned that any further tax increase would have a material impact on the commercial viability of land-based venues.
Machine Games Duty Risk
Rank said maintaining the current 20% Machine Games Duty rate is critical for both Grosvenor and Mecca.
The group warned that any increase could further weaken venue viability and, in its view, lead to lower tax receipts within 12 months.
Cash Flow and Debt
Rank closed the year with net free cash flow of £25.5 million, compared with £27.7 million in the previous year.
Net debt improved from £154.7 million to £147.2 million.
On a like-for-like basis, underlying group NGR rose 6% to £834.1 million, while underlying operating profit increased 20% to £79.9 million.
Outlook
Trading during the first six weeks of the new financial year showed 8% growth in group NGR.
Digital revenue increased 10%, while Grosvenor gaming machine revenue rose 15%.
Rank continues to target more than £100 million in underlying operating profit over the medium term.
Next Steps or Impact
Rank’s challenge will be to maintain operating growth while absorbing a heavier tax burden and increased regulatory pressure.
The company will continue implementing efficiency measures and cost savings but maintains that further taxation of land-based gambling could result in casino and bingo closures, job losses and ultimately lower tax receipts.
Editó: @fonta
