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(Alliance News) - Rank Group PLC on Thursday said it has ended its third quarter "broadly" where it expected to be as all of its UK venues remained closed during the period.
The Maidenhead, Berkshire-based casino operator said like-for-like net gaming revenue was down 76% on the prior year for the three-month period ended March 31, while total net gaming revenue was down 72%.
Venues revenue fell 98% year-on-year and Digital was down 3%, while delivering sequential quarterly net gaming revenue growth from the second quarter, up 3% on a like-for-like basis. Rank Group said its focus remains on continuing to grow its Digital net gaming revenue and it expects a return to year-on-year growth in the first quarter of financial 2022.
"We have ended the third quarter broadly where we expected to be and are now very focused on the reopening of our UK venues from May 17 alongside continuing to drive digital NGR growth. Our business has inevitably been heavily impacted by the pandemic but, with the strong support and dedication of our colleagues, we are now very much looking forward to reopening our casino and bingo venues, welcoming back our customers and providing the great entertainment and omni-channel service in a Covid safe environment we know they enjoy," said Chief Executive John O'Reilly.
Shares in Rank Group were up 0.4% at 190.80 pence in London on Thursday.
By Zoe Wickens; zoewickens@alliancenews.com
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