REG - Rank Group PLC - Impact of the Autumn Budget

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Wed 17:15

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RNS Number : 1615J  Rank Group PLC  26 November 2025

LEI: 213800TXKD6XZWOFTE12

26 November 2025

The Rank Group Plc

Impact of the Autumn Budget

 

The Rank Group Plc (LSE: RNK) ("Rank" or "the Group" or "the Company") notes
the increase in Remote Gaming Duty ("RGD") and the abolition of Bingo Duty
announced in today's UK Autumn Budget 2025 statement, effective from April
2026. The total annualised impact of these additional costs on the Group's
operating profit is a reduction of c.£40m before mitigation.

 

The c.£40m additional cost comprises:

 

 ·             the annualised impact on the UK Digital business of the increase in the rate
               of RGD from 21% to 40% which will be an additional duty cost of c.£46m
               (2024/25: underlying LFL operating profit £33.3m; UK-only underlying LFL
               operating profit c.£25m);

 ·             offset by the c.£6m benefit arising from the abolition of bingo duty.

 

The Group is reviewing various mitigating actions for the UK Digital business
in the context of our profitability, investment plans and the competitive
landscape, which will inevitably be impacted as a result of the tax changes
announced by the Chancellor.

 

The impact of the 4.1% increase to the hourly National Minimum Wage to
£12.71, representing an additional cost impact of c. £5.5m, along with other
changes to employment taxes, are within the Company's expectations.

 

The Group has a strong balance sheet and expects to operate well within its
financial covenants.

 

John O'Reilly, Chief Executive of Rank, said:

 

"The announced increase in Remote Gaming Duty in the UK Budget represents a
very significant blow to the regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK.

 

"Whilst we are pleased that the Government has abolished bingo duty which will
help to sustain jobs and investment in the land-based sector, the far more
significant impact on the Group is the hit to digital profitability.

 

"In the year to 30 June 2025, Rank reported a profit after tax of £44.6m and
paid taxes in the UK of £188m. That burden will now increase by a further
£40m and we will look to mitigate the impact where possible."

 

Rank Group will announce its interim results for the six months ended 31
December 2025 on 29 January 2026.

 

Ends

Contacts:

 

Rank

David Williams - Director of Corporate Affairs & Investor Relations
david.williams@rank.com

 

FTI Consulting LLP (PR adviser to Rank)

Edward Bridges
 
 
Tel: +44 20 3727 1067

Alex
Beagley
                                Tel: +44 20
3727 1045

 

 

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