Rank Group Lifts Profit Forecast Despite UK Gambling Tax Rise

Rank Group expects annual underlying operating profit of at least £76 million after revenue growth and tighter cost controls helped offset higher UK online gambling taxes.

Group like for like net gaming revenue rose 6% to about £834.1 million during the year ended 30 June 2026. The latest profit estimate sits well above the company compiled analyst consensus of £68.2 million.

Good To Know

• Remote Gaming Duty increased from 21% to 40% on 1 April 2026.
• Rank expects to record a £5 million provision linked to Grosvenor Casinos compliance failures.
• Preliminary results will arrive on 13 August.

Digital And Grosvenor Support Profit Growth

Rank protected customer incentives and performance marketing while reducing general advertising, supplier expenses and staff costs. The approach helped profit beat expectations during a year of higher taxation and operating costs.

Digital revenue increased 8% to £248.5 million. Fourth quarter growth accelerated to 12%, even as the UK digital division absorbed the higher Remote Gaming Duty introduced after the November 2025 Autumn Budget.

Grosvenor Casinos remained the largest business and generated £397.3 million in like for like revenue, up 5%. Fourth quarter gaming machine revenue rose 12% after Rank added 850 terminals during the first half, increasing the machine estate by 60%.

Mecca revenue climbed 4% to £143 million, while Enracha in Spain rose 7% to £45.3 million.

Chief executive Richard Harris said:

“Our expected profit outturn for the year reflects the progress we have made in executing our plan for growth, despite the significant cost and taxation headwinds that we have incurred during the year.”

Rank confirmed Harris as permanent chief executive on 13 July. He had held the interim role since John O’Reilly left on 30 January 2026. Harris joined the board as chief financial officer in May 2022.

The company also expects to book a £5 million provision after submitting a settlement proposal to the Gambling Commission. The case covers previous compliance failures under the Grosvenor Casinos licence between 1 November 2024 and 1 May 2025.

Rank offered the payment instead of a financial penalty. The Gambling Commission has indicated that it plans to accept the proposal, while Rank said it completed most remedial work during the first half.

Separately, the Rank partnership with Carers Trust passed £4.5 million in fundraising during April. The charity network has supported more than 15,120 unpaid carers with those funds.

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