Gambling law change boosts Rank

New slot machines have helped sales grow

Gambling firm Rank has reported a rise in revenues at its Mecca bingo halls, thanks in part to it being allowed to add more high pay-out slot machines.

After new gambling laws were introduced last year, Rank successfully applied to add new adult gaming centres to many of the Mecca sites across the country.

As a result, Rank said like-for-like revenues at the Mecca outlets were up 2% in the six weeks since 1 September.

Looking ahead Rank warned that the economic downturn may hit its business.

The company, which also owns Grosvenor Casinos and online gambling site Blue Square, said its overall like-for-like revenues added 5% in the six weeks since 1 September, also compared with the same period a year earlier.

Rank said the Mecca bingo halls were being further helped by its continuing work to help alleviate the impact of the smoking ban, such as the creation of new outdoor smoking areas.