Key points:
- On 12 May 2025, the UK Government published key Statutory Instruments to enable land-based casino reforms, impacting casinos in England and Wales
- The reforms allow for an increase in gaming machines and the introduction of sports betting
The Rank Group is set to benefit from the newly announced Statutory Instruments, which aim to modernise the UK’s land-based casino industry. The reforms stem from the Government’s review of the 2005 Gambling Act. Specifically, the new regulations will enable casinos in England and Wales to add gaming machines and incorporate sports betting.
The new Statutory Instruments, published on 12 May 2025, designate 22 July 2025 as the date when the changes will take effect. Rank plans to introduce 882 new gaming machines to its Grosvenor estate, which currently houses 1,367 machines.
This expansion forms part of a broader strategy to grow its total machine estate to 3,112 over the next two to three years, with investment plans gradually rolling out as the necessary licensing applications are completed.
The Rank Group also intends to engage with government officials in Scotland to ensure its Scottish casinos benefit from these reforms as soon as possible.
Good to know: The Rank Group will announce its preliminary results for the financial year ending 30 June 2025 on 14 August 2025
John O'Reilly, The Rank Group Chief Executive, stated: “The publication of the Statutory Instruments for land-based casino reforms is very good news for Rank. The modernisations will enable us to improve the Grosvenor customer proposition, helping to grow jobs and generating investment in local communities.
"We have a detailed roadmap of investments which we will now accelerate as we begin to roll out these reforms over the coming months.”
The agreement follows The Rank Group reporting 10.9% Q3 FY25 revenue growth, as well as Octoplay's recent partnership with The Rank Group.
