TIDMRNK
RNS Number : 2197B
Rank Group PLC
22 October 2009
The Rank Group Plc
Rank submits response to gaming machines tax consultation
The Rank Group Plc ('Rank' or the 'Group') has responded to HM Treasury's
consultation on proposals to replace the existing taxation regime for gaming
machines with a gross profits tax ('GPT').
The submission confirms Rank's previously stated view that gaming machine GPT
would need to be set at a rate of 15% in order to be neutral for the Group. This
level of taxation would be consistent with the current rates of general betting
duty (sports betting), remote gaming duty (internet betting and gaming),
football pools duty and the starting rate of casino gaming duty.
Rank's calculations have been validated by Ernst & Young LLP.
HM Treasury has stated that it intends any changes to gaming machine taxation to
be revenue neutral for the Exchequer, although this does not necessarily mean
that its impact would be neutral for Rank.
The submission also confirms Rank's analysis of the effects on Group profits
should GPT be set higher than 15%. Rank estimates that it would incur at least
GBP1 million per annum in additional taxation for every percentage point over
the 15% neutral rate. Within Rank, these costs would mainly be borne by Mecca
Bingo.
Given the damaging effects of this year's increase in bingo duty (from 15% to
22%), Rank's submission urges the Government not to increase further the tax
burden of what is already the most heavily taxed gaming sector in Britain.
Rank's response to HM Treasury's consultation on gaming machine taxation is
available
from http://www.rank.com/downloads/ranks_response_to_taxation_gaming.pdf.
Ends
Contacts:
The Rank Group
Dan Waugh, director of investor relations 01628 504053
Financial Dynamics
Ben Foster/Marc Cohen 020 7831 3113
Notes to editors:
About The Rank Group Plc
The Rank Group Plc 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.
Rank's operations comprise:
* Grosvenor Casinos - 35 casinos in Great Britain; two casinos in Belgium
* Mecca Bingo - 103 bingo clubs in Great Britain
* Top Rank Espana - 11 bingo clubs in Spain
* Rank Interactive - online and mobile gaming and betting. Branded websites
include bluesq.com, meccabingo.com and gcasino.com.
In 2008, Rank's businesses received more than 20 million customer visits and the
Group employed around 8,000 team members.
For more information about The Rank Group, visit www.rank.com.
22 October 2009
website: www.rank.com
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCCKBKNCBDKDKB
|