Digital growth helps Rank overcome falling visitor numbers

Operating profit for the six months to the end of December rose to £41.7m from £36.6m a year earlier as like-for-like revenue rose 1% to £378.1m. Pre-tax profit fell 7% to £32.8m as statutory revenue remained flat at £354.2m.

Revenue from online bingo and gambling increased 16% to £60.6m, fuelling a 56% increase in operating profit at the digital division to £11.4m. Declines of 7% in visits to Rank's Grosvenor casinos and Mecca bingo halls caused like-for-like revenues to fall at both businesses. Mecca's operating profit fell 5% but Grosvenor's profit increased 15% as the business cut costs by £8.8m, mainly due to lower employment costs.

Henry Birch, Rank's chief executive, said: "We are pleased to report a good set of results. We remain confident in the outlook for the group with management's expectations for the full year unchanged."

Rank's shares were down 0.7% to 225.5p at 0938 GMT.

The gaming industry has faced intense criticism for encouraging vulnerable consumers to gamble. Rank said it would experiment with setting limits on slot machines in 2018, carry out a "cultural change programme" for its senior managers and introduce responsible gambling features at its digital business.