TIDMRNK
RNS Number : 0096R
Rank Group PLC
22 April 2009
22 April 2009
The Rank Group Plc ('Rank' or the 'Group') interim management statement
16 weeks to 19 April 2009
Rank has brought forward the publication of its interim management statement as
a result of adverse changes to the taxation of bingo and poker, announced in
today's Budget statement from HM Government. Rank has published a separate
announcement on the effect of these changes.
During the first 16 weeks of the financial year, Group revenue was in line with
the comparable period in 2008. In difficult economic circumstances, Rank's two
largest businesses, Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, made encouraging starts
to the year. Grosvenor Casinos performed particularly well with growth in
customer visits driving increased revenue.
Rank Interactive achieved growth from its gaming operations but overall revenue
declined as a result of a weak performance in its sportsbook. Trading at Top
Rank Espana continued to be affected by the weakness of the Spanish economy,
although reported revenue benefited from the strength of the euro against
Sterling.
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
|Year-on-year Group and segmental revenue growth for 16 weeks to 19 April |
| 2009 |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| | Like-for-like* | Total |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Mecca Bingo** | 0% | 1% |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Top Rank Espana*** | 6% | 6% |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Grosvenor Casinos | 1% | 3% |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Rank Interactive | (13)% | (13)% |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
| Group | (1)% | 0% |
+------------------------+------------------------+------------------------+
*excludes club openings, closures and relocations.
**Mecca Bingo revenue includes benefit of non-payment of VAT on interval bingo
in both 2009 and 2008.
***Top Rank Espana revenue performance in the period benefited from the strength
of the euro against Sterling; in euros, revenue declined by 8%.
Mecca Bingo
Like-for-like revenue in Mecca Bingo was in line with the first 16 weeks in
2008. Product and service improvements from gaming machines were the principal
factors behind a 5% increase in spend per head, although this was offset by a 5%
decline in customer visits. Total revenue was up by 1%.
In May 2009, Mecca Bingo will open a new club in Beeston, Nottingham, taking our
portfolio of clubs to 103 across Great Britain.
Top Rank Espana
Top Rank Espana achieved 6% growth in revenue as a consequence of the strength
of the euro against Sterling. In euros, revenue declined by 8% with customer
visits down by 4% and spend per visit down 5%. We are continuing to focus on
cost and capital management against a backdrop of high levels of both
unemployment and cost inflation.
Grosvenor Casinos
Like-for-like revenue in Grosvenor Casinos was 1% ahead of the first 16 weeks in
2008. Customer visits were up 3% but spend per visit declined by 2% as a result
of lower win margin in our London casinos (which, as reported previously,
benefited from a higher than average win margin during the first 16 weeks of
2008).
Our provincial casinos grew like-for-like revenue by 7% with customer visits and
spend per visit up by 2% and 5% respectively. Revenue from our London casinos
declined by 9%, with admissions up by 6% but spend per visit down 14% on lower
win margin.
Total revenue at Grosvenor Casino grew by 3%. This was due to like-for-like
growth in customer visits and strong performances from the G Casinos in Thanet
and Aberdeen (both of which opened in 2008). At the end of April we will open
our seventh G Casino when we re-launch our Bolton casino after a GBP1 million
investment.
Rank Interactive
Revenue in Rank Interactive was down 13%, principally as a result of a
significantly lower win margin in its sportsbook operation.
Continued growth from meccabingo.com resulted in a 1% increase in Rank
Interactive's gaming revenue. Sportsbook revenue was down 52%, due to abnormally
low win margin on football bets.
VAT claims
Between 25 March and 2 April 2009, the High Court heard Her Majesty's Revenue &
Customs appeal against last year's VAT & Duties Tribunal rulings (in Rank's
favour) on the application of fiscal neutrality to games of interval bingo and
to gaming machines. The outcome of the appeal is anticipated before the end of
June 2009.
In addition, Rank has submitted a number of further claims for VAT overpaid in
periods prior to 1997. These claims follow the case law decided in the Fleming
and Conde Nast cases.
Outlook
In spite of the economic uncertainty, Rank has performed in line with management
expectations during the first 16 weeks of the year. However, the tax changes
announced in the Government's Budget statement today will have an adverse effect
on the Group's profits in 2009.
We will continue to manage our businesses with a focus on offering value and
enjoyment for our customers, while maintaining a measured and disciplined
approach to capital investment and cost control.
Ends
The Rank Group Plc
Dan Waugh, director of investor relations 01628 504053
Financial Dynamics
Marc Cohen 020 7831 3113
Conference call
A conference call for investors and analysts will be held at 8.30am (London
time) on Thursday 23 April 2009. Dial-in information follows below:
UK (free call): 0800 694 0257
USA (free call): 1866 966 9439
International: +44 (0)1452 555 566
Passcode: 95593161
A replay of the conference call will shortly be available from the Rank Group's
website (www.rank.com).
About The Rank Group Plc
The Rank Group Plc ('Rank') is a leading European
gaming and betting business, based in the UK and listed on the London Stock
Exchange (RNK.L). Its principal activities are the operation of bingo clubs and
casinos with complementary interactive gaming and bookmaking services.
For more information about The Rank Group, visit www.rank.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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