The Rank Group PLC reported a 21% rise in underlying operating profit for the year to June 30, 2026, as growth across its casino, bingo and digital businesses offset higher taxes, regulatory costs and inflationary pressures.
Underlying operating profit increased to £78.6 million from £64.8 million, while like-for-like net gaming revenue (NGR) rose 6% to £834.1 million.
Underlying earnings per share increased 15% to 10.5p and the full-year dividend was lifted 35% to 3.50p per share. Net cash before IFRS 16 leases improved 25% to £56.8 million.
Statutory operating profit fell 7% to £55.7 million, reflecting separately disclosed items including a £6.5 million loss linked to a payment fraud incident in Spain and a £5 million provision for a proposed Gambling Commission settlement.
Growth across venues and digital
Grosvenor Casinos remained Rank's largest business, with like-for-like NGR up 5% to £397.3 million and underlying operating profit increasing 11% to £35.5 million.
Gaming machine revenue rose 11% following the rollout of 850 additional machines across 37 casinos, with Rank identifying further optimisation of the machine estate as a key growth opportunity.
Digital like-for-like NGR increased 8% to £248.5 million, while underlying operating profit rose 8% to £37.9 million.
Mecca bingo venues recorded a 4% increase in like-for-like NGR to £143 million, with underlying operating profit more than doubling to £8.9 million. Rank closed 9 commercially unviable Mecca venues during the year.
Spanish Enracha venues delivered 7% revenue growth to £45.3 million.
Chief executive Richard Harris said the group had delivered revenue and profit growth during a year of significant change, supported by investment in customer propositions and operational improvements.
Strong start to new financial year
Trading momentum continued after year-end, with group NGR up 8% in the first 6 weeks of the new financial year.
Digital revenue increased 10% and Grosvenor gaming machine revenue rose 15%.
Rank maintained its medium-term target of at least £100 million in underlying operating profit, although it expects digital profitability to decline in 2026/27 due to the full-year impact of the higher UK Remote Gaming Duty.
Capital expenditure is expected to normalise at about £40 million in 2026/27, supporting stronger underlying cash generation.
Board update
Rank also announced that non-executive director and remuneration committee chair Lucinda Charles-Jones will not seek re-election at the company's annual general meeting and will leave the board on October 8, 2026.
The move follows the previously announced departure of senior independent director Karen Whitworth, who will step down on August 31, 2026.
Next steps
Rank plans to focus investment on its casino and bingo businesses, including further gaming machine optimisation, electronic gaming terminals and a trial of smaller-format casino venues.
The group is also progressing greater use of AI and automation while continuing to target at least £100 million in medium-term underlying operating profit.
