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| Share Name | Share Symbol | Market | Type | Share ISIN | Share Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank Group Plc | LSE:RNK | London | Ordinary Share | GB00B1L5QH97 | ORD 13 8/9P |
| Price Change | % Change | Share Price | Bid Price | Offer Price | High Price | Low Price | Open Price | Shares Traded | Last Trade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.60 | 1.83% | 89.20 | 89.80 | 90.00 | 92.60 | 89.00 | 92.60 | 310,008 | 16:35:04 |
| Industry Sector | Turnover | Profit | EPS - Basic | PE Ratio | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amusement & Rec Svcs, Nec | 681.9M | -95.3M | -0.2034 | -4.38 | 416.9M |
From May 2022 to May 2024
TIDMRNK
RNS Number : 9058N
Rank Group PLC
26 January 2023
LEI: 213800TXKD6XZWOFTE12
26 January 2023
The Rank Group Plc ('Rank' or the 'Group')
Interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2022
Rank (LSE: RNK) is pleased to announce its interim results for the six months ended 31 December 2022.
Overview
Hot Features
Premium
-- LFL NGR in H1 grew 2% year on year with 9% growth in Digital
offset by weakness in Grosvenor venues, which declined
5%
-- LFL underlying operating profit of GBP4.2m (H1 2021/22
GBP24.9m), reflecting the impact of GBP15.0m of incremental
energy costs and wage inflation in H1
-- Grosvenor digital business successfully migrated to the
RIDE platform in September 2022, with all Group brands
now operating on Rank's proprietary technology platform
and well set to drive growth
-- Strong Christmas and New Year trading, particularly in
Grosvenor venues, however we remain cautious about H2
given macro-economic conditions
-- Cash and available bank facilities of GBP148.4m at 31
December 2022, with net cash pre IFRS 16 of GBP10.9m.
Refinancing of bank facilities planned for H2
-- Our strong financial position enables continued investment
in both the digital and venues businesses and positions
the Group well for when trading conditions normalise
-- Maintaining operating profit guidance range of between
GBP10m and GBP20m for the full year
Financial highlights
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change
Financial Group underlying LFL
KPIs net gaming revenue (NGR)(1) GBP337.4m GBP330.5m 2%
------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
Digital underlying LFL
NGR GBP100.8m GBP92.3m 9%
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
Venues underlying LFL
NGR(1) GBP236.6m GBP238.2m (1)%
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL operating
profit(1,2) GBP4.2m GBP24.9m (83)%
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
Net cash pre IFRS 16 GBP10.9m GBP53.6m (80)%
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
Underlying (loss) / earnings
per share(2) (0.8)p 2.8p -
------------------------------------------ ----------- ----------- -------
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change
Statutory
performance Reported NGR GBP338.9m GBP333.7m 2%
------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------
Group operating (loss) GBP(101.0)m GBP102.4m -
/ profit
------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------
(Loss) / profit before GBP(107.1)m GBP101.5m -
taxation
------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------
(Loss) / profit after GBP(101.2)m GBP84.0m -
taxation
------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------
Net free cash flow GBP(5.7)m GBP101.2m -
------------------------- ------------- ------------- -------
Net (debt) GBP(158.3)m GBP(142.7)m 11%
------------------------- ------------- ---------------------------- -------
Basic (loss) / earnings GBP(21.6)p 17.9p -
per share
------------------------- ------------- ---------------------------- -------
Dividend per share - - -
------------------------- ------------- ---------------------------- -------
1. On a like-for-like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of club openings, closures, foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.
2. Excludes separately disclosed items.
-- Venues LFL NGR of GBP236.6m declined 1% on the prior year.
Grosvenor venues declined 5%, Mecca venues grew 4% and
Enracha venues increased by 25%
-- Digital LFL NGR of GBP100.8m, up 9% with 9% growth in
the UK and 9% growth in Spain
-- Underlying LFL operating profit for H1 of GBP4.2m compared
with GBP24.9m in the same period last year
-- Statutory Group operating loss of GBP101.0m includes GBP95.4m
of impairment charges, reflecting soft trading in UK venues,
and GBP7.3m of venues closure costs
-- The balance sheet remains strong with GBP148.4m of cash
and available facilities
Operational highlights
-- Grosvenor venues LFL NGR declined 5% in H1 compared with
the prior year, but grew 15% on H2 2021/22 as the business
continued to improve the quality of its safer gambling
measures, invest in products and facilities and encourage
lapsed customers to revisit
-- Grosvenor venues customer visit volumes grew 5% on the
prior year and active customers increased by 4% but spend
per visit declined 9% due to impact of affordability restrictions
and the cost of living crisis. LFL NGR was down 22% on
H1 2019/20 which was unaffected by the pandemic
-- Mecca venues LFL NGR grew 4%, with customer visit volumes
up 4%, continuing the slow recovery from the impact of
the pandemic on the bingo sector. LFL NGR was down 20%
on H1 2019/2020. Mecca's venues estate profitability continues
to be actively managed, with the planned closure of eight
venues in H2 2022/23
-- Enracha venues delivered very strong LFL NGR growth of
25% on customer visit volumes up 16% and active customers
up 27%. LFL NGR was 11% ahead H1 2019/20 levels
-- The 9% growth in Digital NGR was driven by the successful
migration of Grosvenor onto the RIDE proprietary platform,
completing the migration of the Rank brands, with development
effort consequently refocused on enhancements to the player
experience and product offering
-- The strong balance sheet of the Group has enabled continued
investment in revenue generating projects within the transformation
programme
Current trading and outlook
We experienced strong Christmas and New Year trading and, whilst this has continued into the first three weeks of January 2023, we recognise that the cost-of-living pressures are likely to continue to have an effect on our UK venues' customers over the coming months.
The digital business has continued to trade very positively in recent weeks, and we expect to deliver strong growth through to the year end.
Whilst we have experienced a good start to the second half of the year, in light of the challenging macroeconomic environment, we are maintaining our underlying LFL operating profit guidance range of between GBP10m and GBP20m for the full year.
Dividend
Taking account of the difficult trading environment for our UK venues businesses and the considerable pipeline of investment opportunities, the Board has not proposed an interim dividend but expects to recommence dividend payments as soon as circumstances permit.
John O'Reilly, Chief Executive of The Rank Group Plc said:
"The recovery from the severe impact of the pandemic on our UK venues businesses, Grosvenor and Mecca, has certainly been slower than we anticipated. Since lockdown we have faced a huge increase in energy costs, high wage inflation, the slow return of overseas visitors to London and the increasing pressure on consumer's discretionary income. We have also experienced a continued tightening of the regulatory environment, particularly in regards to affordability restrictions on customers. However, trading is improving as we invest in the quality of our products and properties, introduce new gaming concepts for our customers, reduce the level of intrusion in managing customer risk and reintroduce lapsed customers to the fun and excitement of our gaming experience.
"Our digital business is continuing to perform well and, with all our brands now operating on proprietary technology, we are very well placed to drive strong growth on the back of further improvements to our platforms and enhanced customer experiences both online and cross-channel. We are now in control of our future from a technology standpoint and have the vision and capability to deliver a market leading cross-channel customer experience in both Grosvenor and Mecca alongside strong and growing support brands in the UK and internationally.
"We experienced strong trading over the Christmas and New Year holiday period but recognise that the trading environment is likely to be challenging in the months ahead and cost pressures will continue to weigh heavily on the UK hospitality sector. We are driving efficiencies across our business whilst always ensuring that we are well placed in terms of the quality of our customer offering and the talent within the Group for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
"We continue to look forward to the publication of the UK Government's gambling review white paper. Casino and bingo venues are in need of long overdue modernisation of outdated regulation which heavily restricts the customer proposition. This appears to be widely recognised within the debate surrounding the Government's review and we are hopeful of a positive policy outcome followed by the much-needed rapid implementation of new regulation.
"Given the challenges we have faced, I am very grateful to my colleagues across the Group for their commitment to their customers and to the local communities they serve and for the progress we continue to make in the ongoing transformation of Rank."
Definition of terms :
-- Net gaming revenue ('NGR') is revenue less customer incentives;
-- Underlying measures exclude the impact of amortisation
of acquired intangibles; profit or loss on disposal of
businesses; acquisition and disposal costs including changes
to deferred or contingent consideration; impairment charges;
reversal of impairment charges; restructuring costs as
part of an announced programme; retranslation and remeasurement
of foreign currency contingent consideration; discontinued
operations, significant material proceeds from tax appeals
and the tax impact of these, should they occur in the
period. Collectively these items are referred to as separately
disclosed items ('SDIs');
-- EBIT is operating profit before SDIs;
-- Underlying earnings per share is calculated by adjusting
profit attributable to equity shareholders to exclude
SDIs;
-- 'H 1 2022/23' refers to the six-month period to 31 December
2022, 'H1 2021/22' refers to the six-month period to 31
December 2021 and 'H1 2019/20' refers to the six-month
period to 31 December 2019;
-- Like-for-like ('LFL') measures have been disclosed in
this report to show the impact of club openings, closures,
acquired businesses, foreign exchange movements and discontinued
operations;
-- Prior year LFL measures are amended to show an appropriate
comparative for the impact of club openings, disposals,
closures and acquired businesses;
-- The Group results make reference to 'underlying' results
alongside our statutory results, which we believe will
be more useful to readers as we manage our business using
these adjusted measures. The directors believe that SDIs
impair visibility of the underlying performance of the
Group's business because these items are often material,
non-recurring and do not relate to the underlying trading
performance. Accordingly, these are excluded from our
non-GAAP measurement of revenue, EBITDA, operating profit,
profit before tax and underlying EPS. Underlying measures
are the same as those used for internal reports. Please
refer to APMs for further details; and
-- Venues includes Grosvenor venues, Mecca venues and Enracha
venues.
Enquiries
Enquiries
The Rank Group Plc
Sarah Powell, director of investor relations Tel: 01628 504
and communications (investor enquiries) 303
David Williams, director of public affairs Tel: 01628 504
(media enquiries) 295
FTI Consulting LLP
Ed Bridges Tel: 020 3727
1067
Alex Beagley Tel: 020 3727
1045
Photographs available from www.rank.com
Analyst meeting and webcast details:
Thursday 26 January 2023
There will be an analyst meeting at 9.30am, admittance to which is by invitation only. There will also be a simultaneous webcast of the
meeting.
For the live webcast, please register at www.rank.com. A replay of the webcast and a copy of the slide presentation will be made available
on the website later. The webcast will be available for a period of six months.
Forward-looking statements
This announcement includes 'forward-looking statements'. These statements contain the words 'anticipate', 'believe', 'intend, 'estimate', 'expect' and words of similar meaning. All statements, other than statements of historical facts included in this announcement, including, without limitation, those regarding the Group's financial position, business strategy, plans and objectives of management for future operations (including development plans and objectives relating to the Group's products and services) are forward-looking statements that are based on current expectations. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance, achievements or financial position of the Group to be materially different from future results, performance, achievements or financial position expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding the Group's operating performance, present and future business strategies, and the environment in which the Group will operate in the future. These forward-looking statements speak only as at the date of this announcement. Subject to the Listing Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking, to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements, contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations, with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Past performance cannot be relied upon as a guide to future performance.
Business review
Whilst year-on-year comparisons are now free from the material impacts of the pandemic experienced in calendar years 2020 and 2021, the Group continues to review performance against the 12 months to 31 December 2019 (CY 2019), the last comparable period which was unaffected by COVID-19. For the purposes of comparing performance in H1 2022/23 to a pre-pandemic period, we are using H1 2019/20 which forms the comparable six months of CY 2019.
During H1 2022/23, the Group undertook a review of the Group's central costs and concluded it is appropriate that a proportion of central costs should be allocated to each of its operating business units. As a consequence, we have presented operating profit pre and post the central cost reallocation and, to aid comparisons, H1 2021/22 operating profit for each business unit has been restated accordingly.
At a Group level, underlying LFL NGR of GBP337.4m was up 2% on the prior period but down 15% on H1 2019/20. The venues businesses were down 1% on the prior period and down 20% on H1 2019/20. In contrast, Digital NGR grew 9% on last year and 1% in comparison to H1 2019/20(1) .
Underlying LFL operating profit of GBP4.2m was down on the GBP24.9m of operating profit in H1 2021/22 and GBP58.8m in H1 2019/20.
Operating margins have been impacted by material increases in energy, wages and other costs. Including COVID-19 related Government support received in 2021/22, we expect total comparable costs to increase by around GBP45-50m in 2022/23 compared to the prior year. Energy costs, which were GBP13m in CY 2019 and GBP24m in 2021/22, are expected to be GBP31m for 2022/23 with 100% of our gas and electricity requirement now hedged in Q3 2022/23 and 75% in Q4 2022/23. We expect energy costs for 2023/24 to be approximately GBP26m based on current market prices. Average wage increases across the Group have been 8% compared to the prior period with Grosvenor and Mecca colleagues receiving average increases of 9% to support them through this period of high cost of living increases. A number of initiatives including energy efficiency programmes, changes to opening hours, renegotiating leases and other contracts are mitigating some of the impact of the Group's cost increases.
1. Stride was acquired in October 2019 and has been included on a proforma basis in the H1 2019/20 LFL measure.
NGR / GBPm H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change
Grosvenor venues GBP153.4m GBP161.1m (5)%
------------ ------------ -------
Mecca venues GBP65.5m GBP62.9m 4%
------------ ------------ -------
Enracha venues GBP17.7m GBP14.2m 25%
------------ ------------ -------
Digital GBP100.8m GBP92.3m 9%
------------ ------------ -------
Underlying LFL(2) Group GBP337.4m GBP330.5m 2%
------------ ------------ -------
Impact of venues openings, closures
and FX(3) GBP1.5m GBP3.2m (53)%
------------ ------------ -------
Underlying Group GBP338.9m GBP333.7m 2%
------------ ------------ -------
Operating profit / GBPm H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change
------------ ------------ -------
Grosvenor venues GBP9.9m GBP34.6m (71)%
------------ ------------ -------
Mecca venues GBP(0.1)m GBP(0.3)m (67)%
------------ ------------ -------
Enracha venues GBP4.0m GBP3.4m 18%
------------ ------------ -------
Digital GBP9.9m GBP3.1m 219%
------------ ------------ -------
Central costs GBP(19.5)m GBP(15.9)m 23%
------------ ------------ -------
Underlying LFL(2) Group GBP4.2m GBP24.9m (83)%
------------ ------------ -------
Presentation post reallocation
of central costs:
------------ ------------ -------
Grosvenor venues GBP4.3m GBP29.8m (86)%
------------ ------------ -------
Mecca venues GBP(4.9)m GBP(4.0)m 23%
------------ ------------ -------
Enracha venues GBP3.9m GBP3.3m 18%
------------ ------------ -------
Digital GBP7.4m GBP1.1m 573%
------------ ------------ -------
Central costs GBP(6.5)m GBP(5.3)m 23%
------------ ------------ -------
Underlying LFL(2) Group GBP4.2m GBP24.9m (83)%
------------ ------------ -------
Impact of venues openings, closures,
and FX(3) GBP(1.0)m GBP(1.8)m (44)%
------------ ------------ -------
Total Group GBP3.2m GBP23.1m (86)%
------------ ------------ -------
2. Results are presented on a like-for-like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of club openings, club closures , foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.
3. A full analysis of these adjustments can be found in the Alternative Performance Measures ('APM') section.
Grosvenor venues
Key financial performance indicators:
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change H1 2019/20 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
LFL(1) NGR 153.4 161.1 (5)% 197.4 (22)%
London 53.7 54.4 (1)% 80.4 (33)%
Rest of the UK 99.7 106.7 (7)% 117.0 (15)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Total NGR 153.4 161.6 (5)% 198.1 (23)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2) operating profit pre central cost
reallocation 9.9 34.6 (71)% 47.9 (79)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying(1,2) LFL operating profit post central cost
reallocation 4.3 29.8 (86)%
----------- ----------- ------- --------------------
Total (loss) / profit GBP(42.4)m GBP68.0m -
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
1. Results are presented on a like for like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of club openings, club closures, foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.
2. Before the impact of separately disclosed items.
Grosvenor's underlying LFL NGR was down 5% compared to H1 2021/22 and down 22% compared with the pre-pandemic H1 2019/20. London's recovery continues to be slow with NGR down 1% on the prior period and down 33% on H1 2019/20 when large numbers of overseas visitors were in London enjoying shopping, dining, entertainment and the gaming experience. Across the rest of the UK, NGR was down 7% on the prior period and down 15% on pre-pandemic performance in H1 2019/20.
Whilst NGR declined year-on-year, Grosvenor grew LFL NGR 15% compared with H2 2021/22. H2 2021/22 was a low point in Grosvenor's recovery with the impact of Omicron, very few overseas visitors into London and a tightening of affordability restrictions creating the highest level of friction for higher spending customers. In H1 2022/23, there has been a slow increase in overseas visitors into London and investments in systems and training have focussed on positive interactions with customers to build out an understanding of the customer's affordability as early as possible in the business relationship.
Average weekly NGR of GBP5.2m in Q3 FY22 and GBP5.1m in Q4 FY22 grew to GBP5.8m in Q1 and to GBP6.0m in Q2.
The number of customer visits to Grosvenor venues has grown 5% over H1 2021/22 with the number of visiting customers growing 4%. However, the average spend per visit was down 9% reflecting the impact of affordability restrictions on higher spending customers and the impact of the cost of living crisis on discretionary expenditure.
Improvements to the management of customer risk have continued to be implemented throughout the period. An algorithm to assess customers showing potentially at-risk behaviour was developed during lockdown and, following successful trials, was implemented across the Grosvenor estate in November 2021. What became clear throughout H2 2021/22 was the need for heightened skill levels and support systems to reduce the perceived level of intrusion for customers who were identified as requiring affordability interactions. Over 850 Grosvenor colleagues have now taken part in a face-to-face training programme to develop their skills in conducting positive interactions with customers. The training programme was developed in partnership with Gamcare, the leading provider of support for those experiencing problem gambling and the operator of the National Gambling Helpline. Work continues on the calibration of customer risk management across the Grosvenor estate. Moreover, enhancements are being made to the support technology with a new app, currently being trialled in three casinos, which delivers key customer information more effectively to colleagues and supports timely capture of the outputs of customer interactions.
The strongest performing venues during H1 were typically those which have received investment in recent years to improve the facilities and customer proposition. Examples include London's Barracuda and the Vic, Merchant City in Glasgow, the Maybury in Edinburgh, Soames in Manchester and Walsall.
With NGR declining 5% and material increases in energy costs and hourly wage rates across the Grosvenor estate, LFL operating profit declined 71% to GBP9.9m in H1. 21 of Grosvenor's 52 venues were loss making in the half, one of which, Russell Square, was permanently closed in November 2022. Whilst the estate continues to be kept under close review, the expectation is that all Grosvenor venues will return to profitability with an upturn in the trading climate and following regulatory change in the UK Government's review of gambling legislation. After reallocation of costs previously assigned as central costs but now appropriately charged to the Grosvenor business, H1 underlying LFL operating profit was GBP4.3m
The Grosvenor business continued to drive cost efficiencies in H1 and this work continues into the second half of the year with tight monitoring of the operating model in terms of opening hours, ensuring the optimum table openings and staking minimums are in line with customer demand, improved staff scheduling and energy saving programmes including the rollout of LED lighting across the estate. Staffing shortages have been dramatically reduced during the period with a softening of attrition rates, accelerated recruitment and an ongoing programme of gaming academies to train croupiers to meet the table opening needs of the business.
Total loss for the period was GBP42.4m, principally driven by impairment charges of GBP43.1m recognised in H1 reflecting the softer trading performance of the Grosvenor business.
Despite the difficult trading conditions, a number of key initiatives have been delivered in H1 to accelerate the transformation of the Grosvenor business and to position it for growth when the consumer climate improves and in readiness for positive regulatory change for land-based casinos in the Government's gambling review.
GBP3.9m has been invested in property developments during H1 including refurbishments to the Bayswater Casino, the completion of the refurbishment to Merchant City in Glasgow, further improvements to the Pier Nine casino in Brighton and the commencement of a full refurbishment to London's Gloucester Road casino which will complete in Q3 2022/23.
GBP3.2m has been invested in new electronic roulette terminals, gaming machines, tables and wheels during H1. This continued programme of renewal is helping to support strong table margins and the introduction of new products such as Going For Gold, a linked jackpot electronic roulette game which has been successfully trialled in the period and which will roll out early in H2 2022/23.
Mecca venues
Key financial performance indicators:
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change H1 2019/20 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
LFL(1) NGR 65.5 62.9 4% 81.6 (20)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Total NGR 67.0 65.9 2% 91.9 (27)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2)
operating (loss) / profit
pre central cost reallocation (0.1) (0.3) - 13.1 -
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2)
operating (loss) post
central cost reallocation (4.9) (4.0) 23%
----------- ----------- ------- --------------------
Total (loss) / profit (61.8) 39.9 -
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
1. Results are presented on a like for like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of club openings, club closures, foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.
2. Before the impact of separately disclosed items.
The impact of the pandemic has been severe on the land-based bingo sector. Whilst customer volumes are growing, the rate of growth is slow and from a much lower base than prior to the pandemic. Mecca customer visits grew 4% in H1 compared to the prior period, with LFL NGR growing 4% to GBP65.5m. Compared with pre-pandemic H1 2019/20, LFL customer visits were down 28% with NGR down 20%. The largest decline in visits is amongst Mecca's older cohort of customers.
LFL NGR on the core main stage bingo game grew 13% in the period compared with H1 2021/22 with LFL NGR from the interval bingo game, Cashline, growing 11%. LFL Gaming machine NGR declined 3% with overall spend per visit flat in the period.
Underlying LFL operating profit improved from a loss of GBP0.3m in H1 2021/22 to a loss of GBP0.1m. After reallocation of costs previously assigned as central costs but now appropriately charged to the Mecca business, the underlying LFL H1 operating loss was GBP4.9m, compared to an operating loss of GBP4.0m in H1 2022/23.
Bingo requires liquidity to provide attractive prize-boards to customers and it is the venues with smaller customer bases which have suffered the most as a consequence of the pandemic. Seven loss making Mecca venues were closed in H1 and a further eight venues will close in Q3 reducing the estate to 56. 29 venues were loss making in the half.
Total loss for the half was GBP61.8m, principally driven by an impairment charge of GBP52.3m reflecting the slow rate of recovery and GBP3.6m of closure costs.
25 venues grew profitability in the half despite the impact of higher energy costs and wage inflation. Mecca has many profitable and good performing bingo venues and the focus is on ensuring that these businesses prosper going forwards and continue to provide an important social amenity within local communities. A key requirement is the removal of the archaic 80/20 gaming machine rule in the Government's review of gambling legislation. Under the rule, bingo venues are required to ensure that no more than 20% of gaming machines are category B3 machines, the machines that customers most choose to play and which account for nearly two thirds of Mecca's machine revenues. Regulatory reform which enables the sector to better meet the needs of its customers will be critical in sustaining bingo as a leisure option for consumers in towns and cities across the UK.
Awaiting the outcome of the gambling review, investment in the Mecca estate is largely restricted to maintenance capex, safer gambling technology and the rollout of LED lighting. However, four venues received investment to improve their external appeal as part of a trial which will be reviewed in the second half of the year. Playsafe, a system to support real time information for customers and colleagues on machine play, is being rolled out across the Mecca estate.
Enracha venues
Key financial performance indicators:
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change H1 2019/20 Change
GBPm GBPm GBPm
Underlying LFL(1) NGR 17.7 14.2 25% 16.0 11%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Total NGR 17.7 14.1 26% 18.7 (5)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2) operating
profit pre central cost reallocation 4.0 3.4 18% 4.0 0%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2) operating
profit post central cost reallocation 3.9 3.3 18%
----------- ----------- ------- --------------------
Total profit 3.8 1.4 171%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
1. Results are presented on a like for like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of club closures, foreign exchange movements and discontinued operations.
2. Before the impact of separately disclosed items.
The well-invested Enracha business in Spain has continued to recover strongly from the enforced temporary closures and subsequent restrictions during the height of the pandemic. Underlying LFL NGR grew 25% year on year to GBP17.7m and was 11% ahead of pre-pandemic H1 2019/20.
Customer visits were up 16% in the period but were still 14% behind pre-pandemic levels. LFL bingo NGR was 13% ahead of prior period and is now just 1% behind H1 2019/20 levels. The big growth area has been in machine NGR where the business has continued to invest in the quality of the customer offering. Gaming machine NGR (AWPs, electronic roulette and B3/B4 bingo machines) was up 39% against the prior year and up 36% against H1 2019/20.
The nine Enracha venues delivered an LFL underlying operating profit of GBP4.0m up from GBP3.4m in the same period last year and in line with the GBP4.0m profit delivered in H1 2019/20. Spain also saw a substantial rise in energy costs and this has been the primary area of cost increase for Enracha in the period.
Digital
Key financial performance indicators:
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22 Change H1 2019/20 Change
GBPm GBPm
LFL(1) NGR 100.8 92.3 9% 100.0 1%
Mecca 36.1 34.9 3% 34.4 5%
Grosvenor 27.8 25.8 8% 24.4 14%
Enracha/Yo 11.6 10.6 9% 6.4 81%
Other including Stride legacy
brands(3) 25.3 21.0 20% 34.8 (27)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Total NGR 100.8 92.1 10% 83.2 21%
Mecca 36.1 34.9 3% 34.4 5%
Grosvenor 27.8 25.8 8% 24.4 14%
Enracha/Yo 11.6 10.4 12% 6.3 84%
Other including Stride legacy
brands 25.3 21.0 20% 18.1 40%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,3) operating
profit pre central cost
reallocation 9.9 3.1 219% 13.0 (24)%
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
Underlying LFL(1,2) operating
profit post central cost
reallocation 7.4 1.1 573%
----------- ----------- ------- --------------------
Total profit/(loss) 2.7 (6.1) -
----------- ----------- ------- ----------- -------
1. Results are presented on a like-for-like ('LFL') basis which removes the impact of acquired businesses and foreign exchange.
2. Before the impact of separately disclosed items. 3. Stride was acquired in October 2019 and has been included on a proforma basis.
The digital business continues to perform strongly with LFL NGR in the half up 9% on the prior period at GBP100.8m. The operating leverage within the business enabled LFL underlying operating profit to rise 219% to GBP9.9m. After deducting GBP4.4m of amortisation relating to acquired intangible assets and the reallocation of GBP2.6m of costs previously assigned as central costs, but now appropriately charged to the digital business, the H1 operating profit was GBP2.7m.
In the UK, LFL NGR was up 9% at GBP89.2m. Mecca returned to growth with NGR up 3% against the prior period. Grosvenor continues to grow, having been successfully migrated onto the proprietary RIDE platform in September 2022, with NGR up 8%. The portfolio of other brands operating on the RIDE platform grew NGR 22%, whilst those brands operating on third party platforms returned to growth, up 8% against the prior period.
With the Rank brands now fully operating on the RIDE platform acquired through the acquisition of Stride Gaming plc in late 2019, the UK facing business is well set to drive growth through enhancing the customer offering and maximising the cross-channel opportunity for the Grosvenor and Mecca brands. New live tables continue to be launched so that customers can experience the Grosvenor casino experience online and new cross-channel bingo games will be launched in Mecca in the second half of the year. The RIDE platform continues to undergo further development to deliver additional scale and to continuously improve the consistency and quality of the customer experience. In this regard, the software engineering hub in Cape Town is being further strengthened, as is the operational support hub in Mauritius.
Customer affordability journeys continue to be improved to reduce unnecessary friction for customers. A new markers of harm model has been introduced with further enhancements introduced during the period and additional developments planned for H2 2022/23 to provide for tighter identification of potentially at risk play and to ease unnecessary intrusion for customers playing within their means.
In Spain, Yo and Enracha grew NGR 9% to GBP11.6m. YoSports was successfully launched in September 2022 in readiness for the FIFA World Cup in November and December 2022 and it received a very positive reaction from customers. The inability to incentivise new customers and the very tight marketing restrictions imposed in Spain in May 2021 continues to make it difficult and expensive to recruit new customers. However, average customer values are much higher than previously as there are no incentives to attract them to other brands operating within the market. The challenge for the Yo and Enracha online brands is to grow market share through new customer acquisition and YoSports is an important additional asset in this regard.
Passion Gaming, the online Indian rummy business in which Rank holds a 51% share, grew LFL NGR 68% with the easing of regulatory restrictions in certain states compared to the prior period and a resultant increase in marketing investment to grow the customer base.
Group liquidity
The Group ended the H1 2022/23 in a strong liquidity position with total cash and available facilities of GBP148.4m.
In May 2023, the Group will make its scheduled term loan repayment of GBP34.5m in line with the agreed loan amortisation profile reducing its term loan to GBP44.3m. The final repayment of GBP44.3m is due in May 2024.
The Group's available debt facilities comprise GBP65m of Revolving Credit Facilities ('RCF') which expire in 2023/24 and a GBP15m RCF which expires in 2024/25. In light of the upcoming expiration dates Rank will look to refinance its debt facilities in the second half of the year.
The Group expects to meet all future financial covenants under it lending facilities.
Sustainability update
In addition to the key safer gambling achievements outlined above we have also made some significant progress on our environmental objectives.
During the half, Rank moved all its electricity energy consumption requirements from non-renewable sources to renewable sources. In addition, from October 2023 Rank will start to benefit from its renewable electricity Power Purchase Agreement ('PPA') which was entered into in October 2022.
There are many other environmental initiatives underway focused on reducing Rank's total energy consumption and environmental impact. The most material immediate project is the move from inefficient fluorescent lighting to more efficient LED lighting in the UK venues. Seven venues were completed in the half and a further 89 are expected to be completed in H2 2022/23.
Regulatory update
The Government's commitment to address some of the historic imbalances between digital and land-based gambling was made over two years ago when the review of gambling legislation was first announced. Since then, we have refined a series of modest but commercially important proposals that we have presented to DCMS, wider Government officials and parliamentarians. We have also sought elevated engagement with the Gambling Commission to ensure the key proposals are fully understood.
In Grosvenor, all but one of our 51 venues are regulated under the 1968 Gambling Act which restricts gaming machines to 20 per licence. The 2005 Act (we have one casino in Luton which benefits from this licence) permits up to 80 slots. Harmonising regulations to permit up to 80 slots per licence (a sliding scale would ensure that slot numbers are aligned to venue size) is a key proposal which, if included in the White Paper, will trigger a programme of improvements across much of our estate. The 2005 Act also permits sports betting in casinos whereas the 1968 Act prohibits it and we hope that this archaic anomaly is removed in the gambling review, irrespective of venue size. We would like to be able to offer a broader range of table gaming than just roulette on electronic terminals, as is the case across most other jurisdictions. We have also proposed the extension of cashless payment methods in venues, with appropriate customer protections, which would meet changing consumer behaviour and modernise the in-venue experience.
In terms of land-based bingo, the archaic '80/20' rule dictates that no more than 20% of our gaming machines can be the popular B3 machines which customers enjoy playing. The remainder must be Cat C or Cat D machines which are increasingly obsolete and less popular with our customers. We have argued that the removal or reform of the 80/20 rule be addressed. We have also argued that permitting side-bets on the main stage game of bingo would enhance and modernise the in-club customer experience. All our proposals are underscored by extensive customer protection measures.
Government does not involve itself in gambling legislation on a regular basis and this is therefore a vital window of opportunity for the land-based casino and bingo sectors if the customer offering is to be modernised to better meet the needs of today's consumers.
Board changes
Having completed over six years on the Board, Steven Esom, Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Remuneration Committee, stepped down from the Board on 31 December 2022.
Lucinda Charles-Jones succeeded Steven Esom as Chair of the Remuneration Committee and was appointed as the Designated Non-Executive Director for workforce engagement from 1 January 2023.
CFO's review
Within this section all prior year comparatives are to the six months ended 31 December 2021.
Reported net gaming revenue ('NGR')
For the six months ended 31 December 2022 NGR increased by 2% to GBP338.9m with growth in Mecca venues, Enracha venues and Digital offset by weaker trading in our Grosvenor venues.
Operating profit
Operating profit fell to a loss GBP101.0m, from an operating profit of GBP102.4m in the prior period principally due to higher operating costs, notably energy costs and wage costs, and an impairment charge of GBP95.4m.
Separately disclosed items ('SDIs')
SDIs are items that are infrequent in nature and/or do not relate to Rank's underlying business performance.
Total SDIs before tax and interest for the six months ended 31 December 2022 were GBP104.2m.
The key SDIs in the period were as follows:
-- Impairment charges of GBP95.4m relating to lower than anticipated performances of Grosvenor and Mecca venues in the current period and a lowering of performance expectations for future periods;
-- Venues closure costs of GBP7.3m regarding the closure of one Grosvenor casino and a number of Mecca venues;
-- Amortisation costs of GBP4.4m relating to the acquired intangible assets of Stride, Rialto and Yo; and
-- A GBP3.7m provision release regarding legacy claims relating to sold or closed businesses.
Further detail relating to the SDIs is provided in note 3.
Dilapidation provision
Property related provisions include provisions for dilapidations which are recognised where the Group has the obligation to make-good its leased properties.
Following the recent closures of venues in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and the possibility of future closures and the downturn in the trading outlook, together with a hardening position from landlords and recessionary environment making certain properties less attractive, the Group reconsidered the basis of the dilapidation provision estimate and has recognised an additional asset and liability of GBP27.2m. The recognised asset is subsequently charged to the income statement over the remaining life of the lease.
The dilapidation asset of GBP27.2m was included in the impairment review of the Mecca and Grosvenor businesses and resulted in an associated impairment charge of GBP18.6m.
The dilapidation provision is recognised based on historically settled dilapidations which form the basis of the estimated future cash outflows. Any difference between amounts expected to be settled and the actual cash outflow will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.
Prior period restatement
During the period, the Group identified an accumulated total of GBP2.2m of prior year payment processing costs within the Digital business which erroneously had not been recognised in the prior year financial statements. Of the total value, GBP1.3m relates to 2021/22, with GBP0.6m relating to H1 2021/22 and GBP0.7m to H2 2021/22. The remaining GBP0.9m relates to pre 2021/22.
Net financing charge
The GBP6.0m underlying net financing charge for the six months ended 31 December 2022 was in line with the prior period's charge.
The underlying net financing charge includes GBP3.2m of lease interest calculated under IFRS-16.
Taxation
The Group's underlying effective corporation tax rate in H1 2022/23 was (39.3)% (H1 2021/22: 19.9%) based on a tax charge of GBP1.1m on underlying loss before taxation. This is different to the Group's anticipated effective tax rate of 16-18% for the period. This is mainly as a result of UK operations being in a loss position for the period and no tax credit recognised in respect of these losses due to uncertainty around the availability of taxable profits in the foreseeable future against which these losses can be utilised.
The underlying effective corporation tax rate for 2022/23 is expected to be higher than the anticipated effective tax rate of 16-18%. Similar to the position for H1, the full year tax rate will be driven by UK losses generated in the period on which no tax credit is expected to be recognised.
Further details of the tax charge are provided in note 5.
Earnings per share ('EPS')
Basic EPS fell to a loss of (21.6)p from 17.9p in the prior period. Underlying EPS declined to (0.8)p from 2.8p in the prior period. For further details refer to note 7.
Cash flow and net debt
As at 31 December 2022, net debt was GBP158.3m. Debt comprised GBP78.8m in term loans and GBP169.2m in finance leases, offset by cash at bank of GBP89.7m.
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22
GBPm GBPm
Operating profit from continuing operations 3.2 23.1
----------- -----------
Operating profit from discontinued operations - -
----------- -----------
Depreciation and amortisation 31.5 34.4
----------- -----------
Working capital 16.3 (0.2)
----------- -----------
Other 0.4 (0.3)
----------- -----------
Cash inflow from operations 51.4 57.0
----------- -----------
Capital expenditure (24.2) (13.4)
----------- -----------
Net interest and tax (10.0) (10.2)
----------- -----------
Lease principal payments (20.3) (13.9)
----------- -----------
Cashflows in relation to SDI and provisions (2.6) 81.7
----------- -----------
Net free cash flow (5.7) 101.2
----------- -----------
Payment of contingent consideration (0.3) -
----------- -----------
Business disposal - 3.1
----------- -----------
Total cash inflow (6.0) 104.3
----------- -----------
Opening net debt pre IFRS 16.9 (50.7)
----------- -----------
Closing net cash / (debt) pre IFRS 10.9 53.6
----------- -----------
IFRS 16 lease liabilities (169.2) (196.3)
----------- -----------
Closing net (debt) post IFRS 16 (158.3) (142.7)
----------- -----------
The Group finished the period with net debt for covenant purposes of GBP6.8m.
Cash tax rate
In the six months ended 31 December 2022, the Group had an effective cash tax rate of (2.3)% on total loss before taxation (H1 2021/22: 5.8%). The cash tax paid in the period relates to overseas operations. The cash tax rate differs from the standard rate of UK tax due to losses generated by the Group's UK operations during the period resulting in no cash tax payable in the UK.
The Group is expected to have a cash tax rate of approximately (4)% for the year ended 30 June 2023. Similar to the position for H1, the cash tax rate is driven by losses expected to be generated by UK operations resulting in no cash tax payable in the UK.
Going concern statement
Based on the Group's cash flow forecasts and business plan, the Directors believe that the Group will generate sufficient cash to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the period up to 31 January 2024. In making such statement, the Directors highlight forecasting accuracy in relation to the level of trading performance achieved as the key sensitivity in the approved base case.
The Directors have considered three downside scenarios which reflect a reduced trading performance and an inability to successfully negotiate any new RCF facilities. The Directors note that beyond the end of the going concern period, a portion of the RCF matures and the final term loan repayment is due in May 2024. Management is confident in the ability of the business to refinance the RCF facilities and will commence discussions in February 2023. However, given the proximity of these events to the end of the going concern period, in concluding on the going concern position, management have considered the ability of the business to operate in the unlikely event that the RCF is not refinanced.
In each of these three scenarios, the Group will generate sufficient cash to meet its liabilities as they fall due in all scenarios and meet covenant requirements for the period to 31 January 2024, in all of the scenarios.
Alternative Performance Measures
When assessing, discussing and measuring the Group's financial performance, management refer to measures used for internal performance management. These measures are not defined or specified under UK adopted International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and as such are considered to be Alternative Performance Measures ('APMs').
By their nature, APMs are not uniformly applied by all preparers including other operators in the gambling industry. Accordingly, APMs used by the Group may not be comparable to other companies within the Group's industry.
Purpose
APMs are used by management to aid comparison and assess historical performance against internal performance benchmarks and across reporting periods. These measures provide an ongoing and consistent basis to assess performance by excluding items that are materially non-recurring, uncontrollable or exceptional. These measures can be classified in terms of their key financial characteristics.
Profit measures allow management and users of the financial statements to assess and benchmark underlying business performance during the year. They are primarily used by operational management to measure operating profit contribution and are also used by the Board to assess performance against business plan.
The following table explains the key APMs applied by the Group and referred to in these statements:
Closest
equivalent Adjustments to reconcile to
APM Purpose IFRS measure primary financial statements
Underlying Revenue NGR -- Separately disclosed items
like-for-like measure -- Excludes contribution from
('LFL') net any venue openings, closures,
gaming disposals, acquired businesses
revenue ('NGR') and d iscontinued operations
-- Foreign exchange movements
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying LFL Profit Operating profit -- Separately disclosed items
operating profit measure / (loss) -- Excludes contribution from
/(loss) post any venue openings, closures,
central cost disposals, acquired businesses
reallocation and d iscontinued operations
-- Foreign exchange movements
-- Central cost reallocation
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying LFL Profit Operating profit
operating profit measure / (loss) * Separately disclosed items
/(loss) pre
central
cost reallocation * Excludes contribution from any venue openings,
closures, disposals, acquired businesses and
discontinued operations
* Foreign exchange movements
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying profit Profit Profit / (loss) -- Separately disclosed items
/ (loss) before measure before tax
taxation
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying (loss) Profit Profit / (loss) -- Separately disclosed items
/ profit after measure after tax
taxation
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Underlying (loss) Profit Earnings / (loss) -- Separately disclosed items
/ earnings per measure per share
share
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Free cash flow Cash Net cash
measure generated * Lease principal repayments
from operating
activities
* Cash flow in relation to SDIs
* Cash capital expenditure
* Net interest and tax payments
--
--------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
Rationale for adjustments - Profit and debt measure
1. Separately disclosed items ('SDIs')
SDIs are items that bear no relation to the Group's underlying ongoing operating performance. The adjustment helps users of the accounts better assess the underlying performance of the Group, helps align to the measures used to run the business and still maintains clarity to the statutory reported numbers.
Further details of the SDIs can be found in the Financial Review and note 3.
2. Contribution from any venue openings, closures, disposals,
acquired businesses and discontinued operations
In the current period (H1 2022/23), the Group closed one Grosvenor venue and seven Mecca venues. For the purpose of calculating like-for-like ('LFL') measures its contribution has been excluded from the prior period numbers and current period numbers, to ensure comparatives are made to measures on the same basis.
3 Foreign exchange movements .
During the year the exchange rates may fluctuate, therefore by using an exchange rate fixed throughout the year the impact on overseas business performance can be calculated and eliminated.
The tables below reconcile the underlying performance measures to the reported measures of the continuing operations of the Group.
GBPm H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22
Underlying LFL net gaming revenue
(NGR) 337.4 330.5
----------- -----------
Open, closed and disposed venues 1.5 3.6
----------- -----------
Foreign exchange ('FX') - (0.4)
----------- -----------
Underlying NGR - continuing operations 338.9 333.7
----------- -----------
Calculation of comparative underlying LFL NGR
H1 2021/22
Reported underlying LFL NGR 333.5
-----------
Reversal of H1 2020/21 closed venues (3.6)
-----------
H1 2021/22 closed venues 0.2
-----------
H1 2021/22 FX 0.4
-----------
Restated underlying LFL NGR 330.5
-----------
GBPm H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22
LFL underlying operating profit 4.2 24.9
----------- -----------
Opened, closed and disposed venues (1.0) (1.8)
----------- -----------
Underlying operating profit - continuing
operations 3.2 23.1
----------- -----------
Separately disclosed items (104.2) 79.3
----------- -----------
Operating (loss) / profit - continuing
operations (101.0) 102.4
----------- -----------
Calculation of comparative underlying LFL operating profit
GBPm H1 2021/22
Reported underlying LFL reported operating loss
pre IFRS 16 24.1
-----------
Opened and closed venues 1.8
-----------
H1 2021/22 closed venues (0.4)
-----------
Impact of prior year error (0.6)
-----------
Underlying LFL operating profit 24.9
-----------
GBPm H1 2022/23 H1 2022/22
Underlying current tax (charge) (1.3) (7.3)
----------- ------------
Tax on separately disclosed items 7.0 (17.3)
----------- ------------
Deferred tax 0.2 4.0
----------- ------------
Tax credit / (charge) 5.9 (20.6)
----------- ------------
H1 2022/23 H1 2021/22
Underlying EPS (0.8)p 2.8p
------------ -----------
Separately disclosed items (20.8)p 15.1p
------------ -----------
Reported EPS (21.6)p 17.9p
------------ -----------
Reallocation of central costs
During the period, the Group undertook a review of the Group's central costs and has concluded that a proportion of them, which are directly attributable to the relevant business units, should be allocated to those business units, better reflecting the underlying profitability of each segment. This resulted in changes in the underlying profit (loss) of each segment in the prior year which has been re-presented in the table below.
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital venues venues venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment revenue 100.8 153.4 67.0 17.7 - 338.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Other operating
income - - - - - -
Operating profit
(loss) 10.0 9.9 (1.2) 4.0 (19.5) 3.2
Separately disclosed
items (4.7) (46.7) (55.9) (0.1) 3.2 (104.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment result 5.3 (36.8) (57.1) 3.9 (16.3) (101.0)
Central costs allocation (2.6) (5.6) (4.7) (0.1) 13.0 -
Segment result (post
central cost
allocation) 2.7 (42.4) (61.8) 3.8 (3.3) (101.0)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Finance costs (6.1)
Finance income 0.2
Other financial
gains (0.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Loss before taxation (107.1)
Taxation 5.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Loss for the period
from continuing
operations (101.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited
and re-presented)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital venues venues venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment revenue 92.1 161.6 65.9 14.1 - 333.7
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Other operating
income - 2.3 0.7 - - 3.0
Operating profit
(loss) 3.1 34.7 (1.5) 2.7 (15.9) 23.1
Separately disclosed
items (7.2) 38.1 45.1 (1.2) 4.5 79.3
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment result (4.1) 72.8 43.6 1.5 (11.4) 102.4
Central cost allocation (2.0) (4.8) (3.7) (0.1) 10.6 -
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment result (post
central cost
allocation) (6.1) 68.0 39.9 1.4 (0.8) 102.4
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Finance costs (6.6)
Finance income 5.7
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Profit before taxation 101.5
Taxation (20.6)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Profit for the period
from continuing
operations 80.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Analysis of total costs by type and segment and how the central costs have been re-allocated:
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
Grosvenor Enracha Central
Digital venues Mecca venues venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Employment
and related
costs 14.9 62.5 22.9 8.5 3.9 112.7
Taxes and
duties 24.2 33.5 12.8 1.0 0.3 71.8
Direct costs 25.5 14.3 10.7 1.4 - 51.9
Property costs 0.3 5.4 3.2 0.5 0.5 9.9
Marketing 17.6 3.4 2.8 1.1 0.1 25.0
Depreciation
and amortisation 7.4 15.9 6.0 0.8 1.4 31.5
Other 3.5 14.1 14.5 0.5 0.3 32.9
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs
before SDI
(post central
cost allocation) 93.4 149.1 72.9 13.8 6.5 335.7
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 208.4
Operating
costs 127.3
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs
before SDI
(post central
cost allocation) 335.7
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
Grosvenor Enracha Central
Digital Venues Mecca Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Employment
and related
costs 1.7 2.6 2.1 - (6.4) -
Taxes and
duties 0.1 0.4 0.4 0.1 (1.0) -
Direct costs - - - - - -
Property costs - - - - - -
Marketing - - - - - -
Depreciation
and amortisation 0.1 0.5 0.4 - (1.0) -
Other 0.7 2.1 1.8 - (4.6) -
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Central cost
allocation 2.6 5.6 4.7 0.1 (13.0) -
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Cost of sales -
Operating
costs -
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Central cost
allocation -
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
Grosvenor Enracha Central
Digital Venues Mecca Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Employment
and related
costs 13.2 59.9 20.8 8.5 10.3 112.7
Taxes and
duties 24.1 33.1 12.4 0.9 1.3 71.8
Direct costs 25.5 14.3 10.7 1.4 - 51.9
Property costs 0.3 5.4 3.2 0.5 0.5 9.9
Marketing 17.6 3.4 2.8 1.1 0.1 25.0
Depreciation
and amortisation 7.3 15.4 5.6 0.8 2.4 31.5
Other 2.8 12.0 12.7 0.5 4.9 32.9
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs
before SDI
(pre central
cost allocation) 90.8 143.5 68.2 13.7 19.5 335.7
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 208.4
Operating
costs 127.3
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs
before SDI
(pre central
cost allocation) 335.7
------------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- -------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited
and re-presented)
------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- ------
Employment and related
costs 13.0 54.2 24.5 7.3 3.2 102.2
Taxes and duties 20.3 34.1 13.3 0.8 0.3 68.8
Direct costs 25.6 12.7 9.9 1.1 - 49.3
Property costs 0.1 4.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 7.5
Marketing 19.9 2.1 3.1 0.8 - 25.9
Depreciation and
amortisation 7.1 16.5 8.3 0.7 1.8 34.4
Other 5.0 9.6 10.9 0.4 (0.4) 25.5
------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI (post central
cost allocation) 91.0 134.0 71.8 11.5 5.3 313.6
------------------------ ------------- ----------- --------- --------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 198.4
Operating costs 115.2
------------------------ ------------- ---------------------- --------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI (post central
cost allocation) 313.6
------------------------ ------------- ---------------------- --------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited
and re-presented)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Employment and related
costs 1.9 2.5 2.3 - (6.7) -
Taxes and duties 0.1 0.4 0.4 - (0.9) -
Direct costs - - - - - -
Property costs - 0.4 - - (0.4) -
Marketing - - - - - -
Depreciation and
amortisation 0.1 0.5 0.4 - (1.0) -
Other (0.1) 1.0 0.6 0.1 (1.6) -
------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Central cost allocation 2.0 4.8 3.7 0.1 (10.6) -
------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Cost of sales -
Operating costs -
------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Central cost allocation -
------------------------- ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited
and re-presented)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------ ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Employment and related
costs 11.1 51.7 22.2 7.3 9.9 102.2
Taxes and duties 20.2 33.7 12.9 0.8 1.2 68.8
Direct costs 25.6 12.7 9.9 1.1 - 49.3
Property costs 0.1 4.4 1.8 0.4 0.8 7.5
Marketing 19.9 2.1 3.1 0.8 - 25.9
Depreciation and
amortisation 7.0 16.0 7.9 0.7 2.8 34.4
Other 5.1 8.6 10.3 0.3 1.2 25.5
------------------------ ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI (pre central
cost allocation) 89.0 129.2 68.1 11.4 15.9 313.6
------------------------ ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 198.4
Operating costs 115.2
------------------------ ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI (pre central
cost allocation) 313.6
------------------------ ----------- ---------- -------- -------- -------- ------
Principal risks and uncertainties
Key business risks are reviewed by the executive directors, other senior executives and the Board on a regular basis and, where appropriate, actions are taken to mitigate the key risks that are identified. We have a Group wide enterprise risk management framework and approach in place, integrated into our organisational management structure and responsibilities, with the Board having overall responsibility for risk management in the Group.
The principal risks and uncertainties that could impact the Group are detailed in the Group's Annual Report and Accounts 2022 with the principal risks being as follows:
-- Uncertain trading environment: Recovery from the pandemic
is slowed by inflationary pressures impacting consumers'
discretionary expenditure. Such pressures influence customer
behaviour (see also Customer Behaviour Changes) and can
reduce spend on entertainment and leisure activities such
as those offered by the Group, and propensity to visit our
venues. Moreover, the sharp rise in energy cost is impacting
the operating margins of our venues businesses and this
will be further impacted if prices continue to increase.
Related risks caused by current macroeconomic and geopolitical
uncertainty are energy availability and the increased cost
of products and services, all of which could impact our
future performance and strategic decisions.
-- Customer behaviour changes: Customer habits both as a consequence
of the cost-of-living crisis and aftermath of the pandemic
continues to impact customer attendance and average spend,
negatively impacting our financial performance.
-- Compliance with gambling law and regulations: Regulatory
and legislative regimes for betting and gaming in key markets
are constantly under review and can change (including as
to their interpretation by regulators) at short notice.
-- Safer gambling: This underpins our strategy with one of
our five strategic pillars being that we will build sustainable
relationships with our customers by providing them with
safe environments in which to play. This minimises the potential
for our customers to suffer harm from their gambling and
will assist the Group in ensuring that it grows the business
in a sustainable way.
-- People: Pivotal to the success of the organisation and a
failure to attract or retain key individuals may impact
the Group's ability to deliver on its strategic priorities.
-- Change project and programmes: Key Group projects and programme
could fail to deliver, resulting in missed market opportunities
for the Group, and/or take longer to deliver, resulting
in missed synergies and savings.
-- Health and safety: Failure to meet the requirements of the
various domestic and international rules and regulations
relating to the safety of our employees and customers could
expose the Group (and individual Directors and employees)
to material civil, criminal and/or regulatory action with
the associated financial and reputational consequences.
-- Data protection and management: The inability to adequately
protect sensitive customer data and other key data and information
assets that could be leaked, exposed, hacked or transmitted
would result in customer detriment, formal investigations
and/or possible litigation leading to prosecution, fines
and/or damage to our brands.
-- Cyber resilience: Cyber-attacks can disrupt and cause considerable
financial and reputational damage to the Group with the
loss of assets, reputation and business, and potentially
face regulatory fines and/or litigation.
-- Business continuity and Disaster Recovery: Planning and
preparation to ensure that we could overcome serious incidents
or disasters and resume normal operations within a reasonably
short period, is critical to ensure that there is minimal
impact to its operations, customers and reputation.
-- Dependency on third parties and supply chain: The Group
is dependent on a number of these for the operation of its
business. The withdrawal or removal from the market of one
or more of these third-party suppliers, failure of these
suppliers to comply with contractual obligations, or reputational
issues arising in connection with these suppliers could
adversely affect operations, especially where these suppliers
are niche.
-- Taxation: Changes in fiscal regimes in domestic and international
markets can happen at short notice. These changes could
benefit or have an adverse impact with additional costs
potentially incurred in order to comply.
Additionally, the following risk is now included as a principal risk:
-- Treasury and banking: The Group is reliant on committed
debt facilities with five lenders, all of which have specific
obligations and covenants that need to be met, and multiple
banks for clearing (transaction processing). A loss of debt
facilities and/or clearing facilities could result in the
Group being unable to meet its obligations as they become
due.
Emerging and Evolving Risks
The current economic pressures, increasing rates of inflation and increasing energy costs are a cause for concern for many consumers. The executive directors continue to be vigilant of the changing economic backdrop and the impact on the Group.
Additionally, the Group continues to evolve its analysis of climate-related risks and opportunities. However, climate risks are currently not regarded as a principal risk and the risk itself is currently considered low.
Directors' Responsibility Statement
Each of the directors named below confirm that to the best of his or her knowledge:
-- The financial statements, prepared under UK-adopted International
Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS), give a true and fair
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and
profit of the Company and the undertakings included in the
consolidation taken as a whole; and
-- The management report includes a fair review of the development
and performance of the business and the position of the
Company and the undertakings included in the consolidation
taken as a whole, together with a description of the risk
and uncertainties that they face.
The directors of The Rank Group Plc are:
Chew Seong Aun
Lucinda Charles-Jones
Richard Harris
Katie McAlister
John O'Reilly
Alex Thursby
Karen Whitworth
Signed on behalf of the board on 25 January 2023
John O'Reilly Richard Harris
Chief Executive Chief Financial Officer
INDEPENT REVIEW REPORT TO THE RANK GROUP PLC
Conclusion
We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 December 2022 which comprises the Consolidated Income Statement, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, Consolidated Balance Sheet, Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and the related explanatory notes that have been reviewed. We have read the other information contained in the half yearly financial report and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.
Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report for the six months ended 31 December 2022 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34 and the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
Basis for Conclusion
We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" (ISRE) issued by the Financial Reporting Council. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.
As disclosed in note 1, the annual financial statements of the Group are prepared in accordance with UK adopted international accounting standards. The condensed set of financial statements included in this half-yearly financial report has been prepared in accordance with UK adopted International Accounting Standard 34, "Interim Financial Reporting".
Conclusions Relating to Going Concern
Based on our review procedures, which are less extensive than those performed in an audit as described in the Basis of Conclusion section of this report, nothing has come to our attention to suggest that management have inappropriately adopted the going concern basis of accounting or that management have identified material uncertainties relating to going concern that are not appropriately disclosed.
This conclusion is based on the review procedures performed in accordance with this ISRE, however future events or conditions may cause the entity to cease to continue as a going concern.
Responsibilities of the directors
The directors are responsible for preparing the half-yearly financial report in accordance with the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules of the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority.
In preparing the half-yearly financial report, the directors are responsible for assessing the company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the directors either intend to liquidate the company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor's Responsibilities for the review of the financial information
In reviewing the half-yearly report, we are responsible for expressing to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the half-yearly financial report. Our conclusion, including our Conclusions Relating to Going Concern, are based on procedures that are less extensive than audit procedures, as described in the Basis for Conclusion paragraph of this report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the company in accordance with guidance contained in International Standard on Review Engagements 2410 (UK) "Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity" issued by the Financial Reporting Council. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company, for our work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have formed.
Ernst & Young LLP
Glasgow
25 January 2023
Consolidated Income Statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2022
Six months ended 31 December Six months ended 31
2022 December 2021
(unaudited) (unaudited and restated)
----- ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
Separately Separately
disclosed disclosed
items items
(note (note
Underlying 3) Total Underlying 3) Total
Note GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Continuing
operations
Revenue 2 338.9 - 338.9 333.7 - 333.7
Cost of sales 2 (208.4) (95.4) (303.8) (198.4) 10.8 (187.6)
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Gross profit
(loss) 130.5 (95.4) 35.1 135.3 10.8 146.1
Other operating
costs 2 (127.3) (8.8) (136.1) (115.2) (8.6) (123.8)
Other operating
income 2 - - - 3.0 77.1 80.1
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Operating profit
(loss) 3.2 (104.2) (101.0) 23.1 79.3 102.4
Financing:
- finance costs 4 (6.1) - (6.1) (6.6) - (6.6)
- finance income 4 0.2 - 0.2 - - -
- other
financial
(losses) gains 4 (0.1) (0.1) (0.2) 0.1 5.6 5.7
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Total net
financing
(charge) income (6.0) (0.1) (6.1) (6.5) 5.6 (0.9)
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
(Loss) profit
before
taxation (2.8) (104.3) (107.1) 16.6 84.9 101.5
Taxation 5 (1.1) 7.0 5.9 (3.3) (17.3) (20.6)
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
(Loss) profit
for
the period from
continuing
operations (3.9) (97.3) (101.2) 13.3 67.6 80.9
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Discontinued
operations
Profit after tax
for the period
from
discontinued
operations - - - - 3.1 3.1
(Loss) profit
for
the period (3.9) (97.3) (101.2) 13.3 70.7 84.0
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
Attributable to:
Equity holders
of
the parent (3.9) (97.3) (101.2) 13.3 70.7 84.0
Non-controlling
interests - - - - - -
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
(3.9) (97.3) (101.2) 13.3 70.7 84.0
----------------- ----- -------------- ----------- -------- -------------- ----------- ----------
(Loss) earnings per share attributable
to equity shareholders
(0.8
- basic 7 )p ( 20.8)p (21.6)p 2.8p 15.1p 17.9p
- diluted 7 (0.8)p ( 20.8)p (21.6)p 2.8p 15.1p 17.9p
(Loss) earnings per share - continuing
operations
- basic 7 (0.8)p ( 20.8)p (21.6)p 2.8p 14.4p 17.2p
- diluted 7 (0.8)p ( 20.8)p (21.6)p 2.8p 14.4p 17.2p
Earnings per share - discontinued
operations
- basic - - - - 0.7p 0.7p
- diluted - - - - 0.7p 0.7p
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive (Loss) Income
for the six months ended 31 December 2022
Six months
Six months ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited
(unaudited) and restated)
GBPm GBPm
-------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
Comprehensive (loss) income:
(Loss) profit for the period (101.2) 84.0
Other comprehensive income:
Items that may be reclassified
to profit or loss:
Exchange adjustments net of
tax 1.3 (1.5)
Total comprehensive (loss)
income for the period (99.9) 82.5
-------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
Attributable to:
Equity holders of the parent (99.9) 82.5
Non-controlling interests - -
-------------------------------- ----------------- ---------------
Consolidated Balance Sheet
at 31 December 2022 and 30 June 2022
As at As at
31 December 30 June
2022 2022
(audited
(unaudited) and restated)
Note GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Assets
Non-current assets
Intangible assets 468.6 493.6
Property, plant and equipment 96.4 113.1
Right-of-use assets 70.3 101.6
Deferred tax assets 1.3 1.4
Other receivables 6.7 6.7
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
643.3 716.4
Current assets
Inventories 2.7 2.3
Other receivables 38.8 34.2
Income tax receivable 11.8 8.1
Cash and short-term deposits 89.7 95.7
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
143.0 140.3
Total assets 786.3 856.7
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Liabilities
Current liabilities
Trade and other payables (148.7) (131.1)
Lease liabilities (44.4) (40.4)
Income tax payable (3.3) (4.2)
Financial liabilities - loans
and borrowings (34.9) (33.9)
Provisions 9 (9.5) (6.9)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
(240.8) (216.5)
Net current liabilities (97.8) (76.2)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Non-current liabilities
Lease liabilities (124.8) (141.3)
Financial liabilities - loans
and borrowings (43.5) (44.1)
Deferred tax liabilities (16.2) (20.5)
Provisions 9 (32.0) (5.6)
Retirement benefit obligations (3.6) (3.6)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
(220.1) (215.1)
Total liabilities (460.9) (431.6)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Net assets 325.4 425.1
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Capital and reserves attributable to the Group's equity
shareholders
Share capital 65.0 65.0
Share premium 155.7 155.7
Capital redemption reserve 33.4 33.4
Exchange translation reserve 15.9 14.6
Retained earnings 55.5 156.5
--------------------------------------- ----- ---------------
Total equity before non-controlling
interests 325.5 425.2
Non-controlling interests (0.1) (0.1)
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Total shareholders' equity 325.4 425.1
--------------------------------------- ----- ------------- ---------------
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the six months ended 31 December 2022
For the six months ended 31 December 2022
(unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ --------
Reserves
attributable
to the
Capital Exchange Group's Non-
Share Share redemption translation Retained equity controlling Total
capital premium reserve reserve earnings shareholders interest equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 1 July 2022
(as previously
reported) 65.0 155.7 33.4 14.6 158.7 427.4 (0.1) 427.3
Impact of prior
period error -
Note - - - - (2.2) (2.2) - (2.2)
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 1 July 2022
(as restated) 65.0 155.7 33.4 14.6 156.5 425.2 (0.1) 425.1
Comprehensive
income:
Loss for the
period - - - - (101.2) (101.2) - (101.2)
Other
comprehensive
income:
Exchange
adjustments
net of tax - - - 1.3 - 1.3 - 1.3
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
Total
comprehensive
profit (loss)
for
the period - - - 1.3 (101.2) (99.9) - (99.9)
Transactions
with
owners:
Credit in
respect
of employee
share
schemes
including
tax - - - - 0.2 0.2 - 0.2
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 31 December
2022 65.0 155.7 33.4 15.9 55.5 325.5 (0.1) 325.4
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
For the six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ --------
Reserves
attributable
to the
Capital Exchange Group's Non-
Share Share redemption translation Retained equity controlling Total
capital premium reserve reserve earnings shareholders interest equity
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 1 July 2021
(as previously
reported) 65.0 155.7 33.4 14.6 92.6 361.3 (0.1) 361.2
Impact of prior
period error -
Note - - - - (0.9) (0.9) - (0.9)
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 1 July 2021
(as restated) 65.0 155.7 33.4 14.6 91.7 360.4 (0.1) 360.3
Comprehensive
income:
Profit for the
period - - - - 84.0 84.0 - 84.0
Other
comprehensive
income:
Exchange
adjustments
net of tax - - - (1.5) - (1.5) - (1.5)
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
Total
comprehensive
(loss) profit
for
the period - - - (1.5) 84.0 82.5 - 82.5
Transactions
with
owners:
Credit in
respect
of employee
share
schemes
including
tax - - - - 0.3 0.3 - 0.3
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
At 31 December
2021 65.0 155.7 33.4 13.1 176.0 443.2 (0.1) 443.1
---------------- --------- --------- ------------ ------------- ---------- ------------- ------------ --------
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2022
Six months
ended Six months ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited and
(unaudited) restated)
Note GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 11 48.6 139.0
Interest received 0.1 0.1
Interest paid (7.6) (4.4)
Tax paid (2.5) (5.9)
Net cash generated from operating
activities 38.6 128.8
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Additional proceeds on disposal of
business - 3.1
Purchase of intangible assets (4.4) (5.5)
Purchase of property, plant and equipment (19.8) (7.9)
Payment of contingent consideration
of business combination 12 (0.3) -
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing activities (24.5) (10.3)
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Repayment of revolving credit facilities - (11.0)
Lease principal repayments (20.3) (13.9)
Net cash used in financing activities (20.3) (24.9)
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and
short-term deposits (6.2) 93.6
Effect of exchange rate changes 0.2 (0.3)
Cash and short-term deposits at start
of period (as restated) 95.7 68.7
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
Cash and short-term deposits at end
of period 89.7 162.0
------------------------------------------- ----- ------------- -----------------
1 General information, basis of preparation and accounting policies
General information
The Rank Group Plc ('the Company') and its subsidiaries (together 'the Group') operate gaming services in Great Britain (including the Channel Islands), Spain and India.
The Company is a public limited company which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is incorporated and domiciled in England and Wales under registration number 03140769. The address of its registered office is TOR, Saint-Cloud Way, Maidenhead, SL6 8BN.
This condensed consolidated interim financial information was approved for issue on 26 January 2023.
This condensed consolidated financial information does not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of Section 434 of the Companies Act 2006. Statutory accounts for the 12-month period ended 30 June 2022 were approved by the Board of Directors on 18 August 2022 and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditors on those accounts was unqualified, did not draw attention to any matters by way of emphasis, and did not contain a statement made under Section 498 of the Companies Act 2006.
This condensed consolidated interim financial information has been reviewed but not audited.
Basis of preparation
This condensed consolidated interim financial information for the six months ended 31 December 2022 has been prepared in accordance with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority and with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards (IAS) 34 'Interim financial reporting'. The condensed consolidated interim financial information should be read in conjunction with the financial statements for the 12-month period ended 30 June 2022, which have been prepared in accordance with UK-adopted International Accounting Standards.
Going concern
Assessment
In adopting the going concern basis for preparing the consolidated interim financial statements, the Directors have considered the circumstances impacting the Group during the last year, recent trading performance, as detailed in the trading review on pages 5 to 11, including the budget for 2022/23, the latest forecast for 2022/23 and the long range forecast for 2023/24 approved by the Board, and have reviewed the Group's projected compliance with its banking covenants and access to funding options for the 12 months ending 31 January 2024, the going concern period.
The Directors recognise that there is continued uncertainty at this time caused by the slower than anticipated return of customers to UK land-based leisure entertainment venues, the impact of current geopolitical influences impacting on consumer sentiment and disposable incomes, the pressure on the operating costs of the business (including wages and energy costs), increase in inflation and interest rates and their overall impact on consumer demand and discretionary spending. The Directors note that this has had an impact on the accuracy of budgeting and forecasting for the current financial year, and this has been considered by the management when preparing their sensitivity review for the going concern period.
The Directors have reviewed and challenged management's assumptions for the Group's base case view for the going concern period, including their assumptions on revenues and costs. Key considerations are the assumptions on the levels of customer visits and their average spend in the venues based businesses, and the number of first time and returning depositors in the digital businesses, and the average level of spend per visit for each.
The base case view contains certain discretionary costs within management control that could be reduced in the event of a revenue downturn. These include reductions to overheads, reduction to marketing costs, reductions to the venues' operating costs and reductions to capital expenditure.
The committed financing position in the base case within the going concern assessment period is that the Group continues to have access to the following committed facilities:
-- Term loan of GBP78.8m which reduces to GBP44.3m in May 2023 due to a scheduled loan repayment
-- Revolving credit facilities ("RCF") of GBP80.0m, reducing to GBP55.0m in July 2023.
At the date of approval of the consolidated interim financial statements, the term loan was GBP78.8m and the GBP80.0m RCF was undrawn.
Beyond the end of the going concern period, GBP40m of the RCF facility matures in May 2024 and the final term loan repayment of GBP44m is due in May 2024. Management are confident in the ability of the business to refinance the RCF facilities and plans to commence discussions in February 2023. However, given the proximity of these events to the end of the going concern period, in concluding on the going concern position, management have considered the ability of the business to operate in the unlikely event that the RCF is not refinanced.
In undertaking their assessment, the Directors also reviewed compliance with the banking covenants ("Covenants") which are tested bi-annually at June and December. The Group expects to meet the Covenants at June 2023 and December 2023 and have available cash to meet liabilities as they fall due.
Sensitivity Analysis
The base case view reflects the Directors' best estimate of the outcome for the going concern period. A number of plausible but severe downside risks, including consideration of possible mitigating actions, have been modelled with particular focus on the potential impact to cash flows, cash headroom and covenant compliance throughout the going concern period.
The three downside scenarios modelled are:
(i) revenues in the Grosvenor business fall by 11.8% in the balance of FY23 and in FY24, with management taking no mitigating actions to reduce costs or capex
(ii) the Group is not able to refinance and obtain any new RCF, management reduces operating and capital expenditure to ensure the Group retains sufficient liquidity
(iii) the Group is not able to refinance and obtain any new RCF, management reduces operating and capital expenditure to ensure the Group retains sufficient liquidity and Grosvenor revenues decline by 13.0% and Rank Interactive by 10.0%, in the balance of FY23 and in FY24, versus the base case view. This represents a reverse stress test scenario.
Having modelled these threes downsides, the indication is that the Group would continue to meet its covenant requirements in all scenarios and have available cash to meet liabilities in all three scenarios.
Accordingly, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for a period at least through to 31 January 2024.
For these reasons, the Directors continue to adopt the going concern basis for the preparation of these consolidated interim financial statements and in preparing the consolidated interim financial statements they do not include any adjustments that would be required to be made if they were prepared on a basis other than going concern.
Going concern statement
Based on the Group's cash flow forecasts and business plan, the Directors believe that the Group will generate sufficient cash to meet its liabilities as they fall due for the period up to 31 January 2024. In making such statement, the Directors highlight forecasting accuracy in relation to the level of trading performance achieved as the key sensitivity in the approved base case.
The Directors have considered three downside scenarios which reflect a reduced trading performance and an inability to successfully negotiate any new RCF facilities.
The Directors note that beyond the end of the going concern period, a portion of the RCF matures and the final term loan repayment is due in May 2024. Management are confident in the ability of the business to refinance the RCF facilities and will commence discussions in February 2023. However, given the proximity of these events to the end of the going concern period, in concluding on the going concern position, management have considered the ability of the business to operate in the unlikely event that the RCF is not refinanced.
In each of the three downsides scenarios, the Group will generate sufficient cash to meet its liabilities as they fall due and meet covenant requirements for the period to 31 January 2024 with scenarios ii) and iii) requiring the implementation and execution of mitigating cost saving actions within the control of management.
Accounting policies
Standards, amendments to and interpretations of existing standards adopted by the Group
The accounting policies and methods of computation adopted in the condensed consolidated interim financial information are consistent with those followed in the Group's financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022.
There are no new or amended standards or interpretations that became effective in the period from 1 July 2022 which have had a material impact upon the values or disclosures in the condensed consolidated interim financial information.
The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.
Separately disclosed items (SDI)
The Group incurs costs and earns income that is non-recurring in nature or that, in the Directors' judgement, need to be disclosed separately by virtue of their size and incidence in order for users of the condensed consolidated interim financial information to obtain a proper understanding of the financial information and the underlying performance of the business. These items include (but are not limited to):
-- Amortisation of acquired intangible assets;
-- Profit or loss on disposal of businesses;
-- Costs or income associated to the closure of venues;
-- Acquisition and disposal costs including changes to deferred
or contingent consideration;
-- Impairment charges;
-- Reversal of previously recognised impairment charges;
-- Property related provisions;
-- Restructuring costs as part of an announced programme;
-- Retranslation and remeasurement of foreign currency contingent
consideration;
-- Discontinued operations;
-- Significant, material proceeds from tax appeals;
-- The tax impact of all the above.
Determining whether an item is part of specific adjusting items requires judgement to determine the nature and the intention of the transaction.
Estimates and judgements
In preparing these condensed consolidated financial information, management has made judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expense, including inflationary cost pressures impacting the cost of living and customer sentiment and behaviour. Actual results may differ from these estimates. The significant judgements made by management in applying the Group's accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2022 including the additional significant estimates for the interim period ending 31 December 2022.
Dilapidations provision
Provisions for dilapidations are recognised where the Group has the obligation to make-good its leased properties. These provisions are measured based on historically settled dilapidations which form the basis of the estimated future cash outflows and discounted based on the discount rates that reflect current market assessments and the risks specific to the liability. Any difference between amounts expected to be settled and the actual cash outflow will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.
The Group's provisions are estimates of the actual costs and timing of future cash flows, which are dependent on future events, property exits and market conditions. Thus, there is inherently an element of estimation uncertainty within the provisions recognised by the Group. Any difference between expectations and the actual future liability will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.
The provisions are most sensitive to estimates of the future cash outflows which are based on historically settled dilapidations. This means that an increase in cash outflows of 1% would have resulted to a GBP0.3m increase in the dilapidations provision. Likewise, a decrease in cash outflows of 1% would have resulted to a GBP0.3m decrease in the dilapidations provision.
Taxation
Taxes on income in the interim periods are accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings.
Prior period restatement
These consolidated interim financial statements include a prior year restatement in relation to: the presentation and classification of the reversal of impairment charges and prior year costs identified in the Digital business which erroneously had not been recognised in the prior year consolidated interim income statements.
Presentation and classification of prior year reversal of impairment charges
During the period ended 31 December 2021, the reversal of impairment charges was presented and classified within the "Other operating income" line item of the consolidated interim financial statements in error. As the previously recognised impairment charges was presented and classified within "Cost of sales", the reversal of the impairment charges likewise need to be applied through "Cost of sales" and not through "Other operating income". The adjustment has no impact on the result for the period ended 31 December 2021, net assets or the cash flow statement.
Unrecorded costs in the Digital business
During the period, the Group identified an accumulated total of GBP2.2m prior year payment processing costs within the Digital business which erroneously had not been recognised in the prior year financial statements. Of the total value, GBP1.3m relates to FY2021/22, with GBP0.6m relating to the period ending 31 December 2021 and GBP0.7m to the six month period to 30 June 2022 respectively. The remaining GBP0.9m related to pre-FY2021/22.
The adjustments made to the period ending 31 December 2021 increase cost of sales by GBP0.6m, reduce cash and short term-term deposits by GBP1.5m , reduce prior year opening reserves by GBP0.9m and closing reserves is reduced by GBP1.5m.
The impact of the adjustment on the June 2022 balance sheet is a reduction to cash and short-term deposits of GBP2.2m, a reduction to closing reserves of GBP2.2m and a reduction to opening reserves of GBP0.9m.
The prior period comparatives have been restated for the above items in accordance with IAS 8: 'Accounting Policies, Changes in Accounting Policies and Errors' and have impacted the primary financial statements as follows:
Income Statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2021
As previously Unaudited
reported Adjustment and restated
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------- --------------
Revenue 333.7 - 333.7
Cost of sales (198.4) 10.8 (187.6)
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Gross profit 135.3 10.8 146.1
Other operating costs (123.2) (0.6) (123.8)
Other operating income (loss) 90.9 (10.8) 80.1
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Operating profit (loss) 103.0 (0.6) 102.4
Financing:
* finance costs (6.6) - (6.6)
* finance income - - -
* other financial gains 5.7 - 5.7
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total net financing charge (0.9) - (0.9)
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Profit (loss) profit before taxation 102.1 (0.6) 101.5
Taxation (20.6) - (20.6)
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Profit (loss) profit for the
period from continuing operations 81.5 (0.6) 80.9
Profit after tax from discontinued
operations 3.1 - 3.1
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Profit (loss) for the period 84.6 (0.6) 84.0
-------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
As previously Unaudited
reported Adjustment and restated
GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- --------------------- ----------- --------------
Total earnings per share attributable to
equity shareholders
* basic 18.1p (0.2)p 17.9p
* diluted 18.1p (0.2)p 17.9p
Underlying earnings per share attributable
to equity shareholders
* basic 3.0p (0.2)p 2.8p
* diluted 3.0p (0.2)p 2.8p
Total earnings per share attributable to equity shareholders
- continuing operations
* basic 17.4p (0.2)p 17.2p
* diluted 17.4p (0.2)p 17.2p
Underlying earnings per share attributable to equity shareholders
- continuing operations
* basic 3.0p (0.2)p 2.8p
* diluted 3.0p (0.2)p 2.8p
Balance Sheet
As previously Audited
reported Adjustment and restated
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Assets
Cash and short-term deposits 97.9 (2.2) 95.7
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total assets 858.9 (2.2) 856.7
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total liabilities (431.6) - (431.6)
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Net assets 427.3 (2.2) 425.1
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Equity
Retained earnings 158.7 (2.2) 156.5
------------------------------------- ----------- --------------
Total equity before non-controlling
interests 427.4 (2.2) 425.2
Non-controlling interests (0.1) - (0.1)
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total shareholders' equity 427.3 (2.2) 425.1
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
At 30 June 2022
Balance Sheet
As previously Audited
reported Adjustment and restated
GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Assets
Cash and short-term deposits 163.5 (1.5) 162.0
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total assets 947.8 (1.5) 946.3
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total liabilities (503.2) - (503.2)
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Net assets 444.6 (1.5) 443.1
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Equity
Retained earnings 177.5 (1.5) 176.0
------------------------------------- ----------- --------------
Total equity before non-controlling
interests 444.7 (1.5) 443.2
Non-controlling interests (0.1) - (0.1)
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Total shareholders' equity 444.6 (1.5) 443.1
------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
At 31 December 2021
Cash flow statement
for the six months ended 31 December 2021
As previously Audited
reported Adjustment and restated
GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Cash flows from operating activities
Cash generated from operations 139.6 (0.6) 139.0
--------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Net cash generated from operating
activities 129.4 (0.6) 128.8
--------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Net cash used in investing activities (10.3) - (10.3)
Net cash used from financing
activities (24.9) - (24.9)
--------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Net increase in cash and short-term
deposits 94.2 (0.6) 93.6
--------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Cash and short-term deposit at the start of the period 69.6 (0.9) (68.7) --------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- -------------- Cash and short-term deposits at end of period 163.5 (1.5) 162.0 --------------------------------------- --------------- ----------- --------------
Segment reporting
Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the Board of Directors, as the chief operating decision-makers (CODM), to enable them to make strategic and operational decisions.
The Group reports five segments: Digital, Grosvenor Venues, Mecca Venues, Enracha Venues and Central Costs.
2 Segment information
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment revenue 100.8 153.4 67.0 17.7 - 338.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Other operating
income
Operating profit
(loss) 7.4 4.3 (5.9) 3.9 (6.5) 3.2
Separately disclosed
items (4.7) (46.7) (55.9) (0.1) 3.2 (104.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment result 2.7 (42.4) (61.8) 3.8 (3.3) (101.0)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Finance costs (6.1)
Finance income 0.2
Other financial
losses (0.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Loss before taxation (107.1)
Taxation 5.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Loss for the period
from continuing
operations (101.2)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited, re-presented
and restated)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment revenue 92.1 161.6 65.9 14.1 - 333.7
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Other operating
income - 2.3 0.7 - - 3.0
Operating profit
(loss)* 1.1 29.9 (5.2) 2.6 (5.3) 23.1
Separately disclosed
items (7.2) 38.1 45.1 (1.2) 4.5 79.3
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Segment result (6.1) 68.0 39.9 1.4 (0.8) 102.4
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Finance costs (6.6)
Finance income 5.7
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Profit before
taxation 101.5
Taxation (20.6)
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
Profit for the
period from continuing
operations 80.9
------------------------- ----------------------- ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
*During the period, the Group undertook a review of the Group's Central Costs and has concluded that a proportion of them, which are directly attributable to the relevant business units, should be allocated to those business units, better reflecting the underlying profitability of each segment. This resulted in changes in the underlying profit (loss) of each segment in the prior year which has been re-presented in the table above.
2 Segment information (continued)
Under IFRS 8 - Operating Segments, segments are reported in a manner consistent with internal reporting provided to the CODM.
To increase transparency, the Group continues to include additional disclosure analysing total costs by type and segment. A reconciliation of total costs, before separately disclosed items, by type and segment is as follows:
Six months ended 31 December 2022 (unaudited)
-------------- ------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Employment and related
costs 14.9 62.5 22.9 8.5 3.9 112.7
Taxes and duties 24.2 33.5 12.8 1.0 0.3 71.8
Direct costs 25.5 14.3 10.7 1.4 - 51.9
Property costs 0.3 5.4 3.2 0.5 0.5 9.9
Marketing 17.6 3.4 2.8 1.1 0.1 25.0
Depreciation and
amortisation 7.4 15.9 6.0 0.8 1.4 31.5
Other 3.5 14.1 14.5 0.5 0.3 32.9
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI 93.4 149.1 72.9 13.8 6.5 335.7
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 208.4
Operating costs 127.3
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI 335.7
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Six months ended 31 December 2021 (unaudited,
re-presented and restated)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Grosvenor Mecca Enracha Central
Digital Venues Venues Venues Costs Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Employment and related
costs 13.0 54.2 24.5 7.3 3.2 102.2
Taxes and duties 20.3 34.1 13.3 0.8 0.3 68.8
Direct costs 25.6 12.7 9.9 1.1 - 49.3
Property costs 0.1 4.8 1.8 0.4 0.4 7.5
Marketing 19.9 2.1 3.1 0.8 - 25.9
Depreciation and
amortisation 7.1 16.5 8.3 0.7 1.8 34.4
Other 5.0 9.6 10.9 0.4 (0.4) 25.5
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI 91.0 134.0 71.8 11.5 5.3 313.6
------------------------ -------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- -------- ------
Cost of sales 198.4
Operating costs 115.2
------------------------ -------------- ------------------------ ---------- -------- ------
Total costs before
SDI 313.6
------------------------ -------------- ------------------------ ---------- -------- ------
3 Separately disclosed items
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Separately disclosed items
Impairment charges (95.4) -
Impairment reversal - 10.8
Closure of venues (7.3) (1.2)
Amortisation of acquired intangible
assets (4.4) (5.9)
Disposal provision 3.7 -
Business transformation costs (0.7) (0.2)
Integration costs (0.1) (1.3)
VAT claim - 77.1
Impact on operating profit (104.2) 79.3
Other financial (losses) gains (0.1) 5.6
Taxation (see note 5) 7.0 (17.3)
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Separately disclosed items relating
to continuing operations (97.3) 67.6
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Profit on disposal of business - 3.1
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Separately disclosed items relating
to discontinued operations - 3.1
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total separately disclosed items (97.3) 70.7
------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Impairment charges and reversal
During the period, the Group recognised impairment charges of GBP95.4m relating to Grosvenor venues and Mecca clubs. Following the last assessment made on 30 June 2022, further impairment charges were recognised for a number of reasons, including lower than anticipated performances, further reduction in forecast earnings and a decision to close a number of clubs and venues (see note 8 for further details).
In the prior period, the Group recognised a reversal of previously impaired assets of GBP10.8m relating to its Grosvenor venues. This follows the business transformation completed in 2020 and the reopening of venues, following Covid related closures, since May 2021. This contributed to an improved result in H1 of FY22 and the forecast outlook for the Grosvenor venues identified.
These items are material, non-recurring and as such, have been excluded from underlying results.
Closure of venues
During the period, the Group made the decision to close a number of Grosvenor and Mecca venue at a cost of GBP7.3m. These relate to onerous contract costs, dilapidations and strip out costs on leased sites and other directly related costs that have been identified for closure. Upon initial recognition of closure provisions, management uses its best estimates of the relevant costs to be incurred, as well as the expected closure dates.
In the prior period, the Group closed one of its international venues incurring GBP1.2m costs including redundancy and employee settlement costs, legal costs and reallocation of assets directly attributed to this venue.
These are material, one-off costs and as such have been excluded from underlying results.
Amortisation of acquired intangible assets
Acquired intangible assets are amortised over the life of the assets with the charge being included in the Group's reported amortisation expense. Given these charges are material and non-cash in nature, the Group's underlying results have been adjusted to exclude the amortisation expense of GBP4.4m (2021: GBP5.9m) relating to the acquired intangible assets of Stride, Rialto and YoBingo.
Disposal provision
In prior years, provision has been made for legacy industrial disease and personal injury claims, and other directly attributable costs arising as a consequence of the sale or closure of previously owned businesses.
During the period, the Group have re-considered this provision by reviewing the historic and recent claims including the final settlement made. The Group also assessed the likelihood of payment for existing and potential future claims and concluded, on most cases, that the payment could be not determined if probable. It was therefore determined necessary to release the provision of GBP3.7m for the period (sees Note 9 and 12).
Business transformation costs
This is a multi-year change programme for the Group focused around revenue growth, cost savings, efficiencies and ensuring the key enablers are in place. The transformation programme started in January 2019 and was expected to last three years, however in light of COVID-19, the timeframe has been extended to 2023. The multi-year change programme is a material, infrequent programme and is not considered to be part of the underlying business performance.
During the period, GBP0.7m (2021: GBP0.2m) of costs are excluded from the underlying performance of the Group.
Integration Costs
Costs directly associated with the integration of business acquisitions are charged to the consolidated income statement. Such items are material, infrequent in nature and are not considered to be part of the underlying business performance.
During the period, GBP0.1m (2021: GBP1.3m) of costs have been excluded from the underlying operating results of the Group. These costs have been incurred to ready the ride proprietary platform, acquired in the Stride acquisition, for migrations of the legacy Rank brands, which were completed in the period.
VAT claim
On 30 June 2021, the Group was informed that the First-tier Tribunal ('FTT') had allowed the appeal of the Group on its claim to be refunded VAT paid on the takings from gaming machines during the period April 2006 to January 2013. Whilst this was a positive decision for the Group, HMRC had a number of avenues of appeal before the matter reached a definitive conclusion, beginning with an initial 56-day period from the date of decision in which to lodge an appeal and agree the exact guarantee of the claim with the Group. Due to this, the transaction was disclosed as contingent assets in the Group's Annual Report for the year ending 30 June 2021.
On 2 December 2021, the refund was received in relation to this claim comprising GBP77.5m principal and interest of GBP5.6m, with costs directly incurred amounting to GBP0.4m. This confirmed the closure of the claim and the Group assessed no further appeal opportunities to any parties.
This is a material, one-off amount and as such was excluded from underlying results.
Profit on disposal of business
Charges or credits associated with the disposal of part or all of a business may arise. Such disposals may result in one time impacts that in order to allow comparability means the Group removes the profit or loss from the underlying operating results.
The Belgium casino sale was reported in the Annual Report and Accounts at 30 June 2021 at a profit of GBP23.8m. At 31 December 2021, an additional profit of GBP3.1m was recognised, relating to proceeds received from the sale of the Belgium casino following a positive outcome in a salary moderation case in Belgium, the benefit of which was retained by Rank in the sale.
4 Financing
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Finance costs:
Interest on debt and borrowings (2.2) (2.2)
Amortisation of issue costs on borrowings (0.7) (1.0)
Interest payable on leases (3.2) (3.4)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total finance costs (6.1) (6.6)
Finance income:
Interest income on short-term bank
deposits 0.2 -
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Finance income 0.2 -
Other financial (losses) gains (0.1) 0.1
Total net financing charge before
SDI (6.0) (6.5)
Separately disclosed items (0.1) 5.6
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total net financing charge (6.1) (0.9) ------------------------------------------- ------------- ------------- 5 Taxation
Income tax is recognised based on management's best estimate of the weighted average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial period.
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited) (unaudited)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Current income tax GBPm GBPm
Current income tax - UK 0.3 (1.9)
Current income tax - overseas (1.1) (0.7)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Current income tax charge (0.8) (2.6)
Current income tax on SDI 3.0 (6.2)
Amounts over provided in previous periods (0.5) (4.7)
Total current income tax credit (charge) 1.7 (13.5)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Deferred tax
Deferred tax - UK - (0.8)
Deferred tax - overseas (0.3) (0.5)
Restatement of deferred tax due to
rate change - 0.6
Deferred tax on SDI 4.0 (11.1)
Amounts over provided in previous year 0.5 4.7
Total deferred tax credit (charge) 4.2 (7.1)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Tax credit (charge) in the income
statement 5.9 (20.6)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
The tax effect of items within other comprehensive income is as follows:
Six months Six months
ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited) (unaudited)
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Current tax credit (charge) on exchange
movements offset in reserves 0.2 (0.1)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total tax credit (charge) on items within
other comprehensive income 0.2 (0.1)
------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
The credit in respect of employee share schemes included within the Statement of Changes in Equity includes a deferred tax credit of GBPnil (six months ended 31 December 2021: GBP0.4m).
Factors affecting future taxation
The Group operates in a number of territories and so the Group's profits are subject to tax in various jurisdictions. The Group monitors income tax developments in these territories which could affect the Group's tax liabilities. The Group notes recent developments in relation to the OECD inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, with the new rules expected to apply to accounting periods beginning on or after 31 December 2023. The Group continues to monitor the progress of relevant legislation and the potential impact on the Group's tax charge.
UK corporation tax is calculated at 20.5% (six months ended 31 December 2021: 19%) of the estimated assessable profit for the period. Taxation for overseas operations is calculated at the local prevailing rates.
On 3 March 2021, the Chancellor of the exchequer announced the increase in the main rate of UK corporation tax from 19% to 25% for the year starting 1 April 2023. This change was substantively enacted on 24 May 2021.
This rate increase will increase the amount of cash tax payments to be made by the Group.
6 Dividends
No interim dividend in respect of the period ended 31 December 2022 (31 December 2021: GBPnil) has been recommended.
7 Underlying earnings per share
Underlying earnings is calculated by adjusting profit attributable to equity shareholders to exclude separately disclosed items and the related tax effects. Underlying earnings is one of the business performance measures used internally by management to manage the operations of the business. Management believes that the underlying earnings measure assists in providing a view of the underlying performance of the business.
Underlying net earnings attributable to equity shareholders is derived as follows:
Six months ended
Six months ended 31 December
31 December 2022 2021
(unaudited and
(unaudited) restated)
---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
(Loss) profit attributable to equity
shareholders (101.2)m 84.0m
Adjusted for:
Separately disclosed items after tax 97.3m (70.7)m
Underlying (loss) earnings attributable
to equity shareholders (3.9)m 13.3m
Continuing operations (3.9)m 13.3m
Discontinued operations - -
Weighted average number of ordinary
shares in issue 468.4m 468.4m
Underlying (loss) earnings per share
- basic (0.8)p 2.8p
Continuing operations (0.8)p 2.8p
Discontinued operations - -
---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
Underlying (loss) earnings per share
- diluted (0.8)p 2.8p
Continuing operations (0.8)p 2.8p
Discontinued operations - -
---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------
8 Impairment reviews
The Group considers each venue to be a separate cash-generating unit ('CGU'). The Group's digital operations consist of the UK digital business and the International digital business. UK digital and International digital are each assessed as separate CGUs. The individual Grosvenor venues are aggregated for the purposes of allocating the Grosvenor goodwill.
As at 31 December 2022, the Group assessed whether indicators of impairment existed within its Venues and Digital operations. It was concluded that no indicators of impairment existed within Digital operations and its Enracha Venues. Equally, consideration was given as to whether there had been any changes in the estimates used to determine the recoverable amount of assets (excluding goodwill) which had previously been impaired. No changes were identified and therefore no impairment loss reversals have been recognised.
The remaining two Venue operations, Grosvenor and Mecca, have indicators of impairment primarily caused by lower than anticipated performances or low level of forecast earnings. This further resulted to a decision to close a number of Grosvenor and Mecca venues which resulted in impairment charges of GBP6.5m.
The impairment test was conducted in December 2022 and management are satisfied that the assumptions used were appropriate.
Testing is carried out by allocating the carrying value of these assets to CGUs and determining the recoverable amounts of those CGUs. The individual CGUs were first tested for impairment and then the group of CGUs to which goodwill is allocated were tested. Where the recoverable amount exceeds the carrying value of the CGUs, the assets within the CGUs are considered not to be impaired. If there are legacy impairments for such assets, except goodwill, these are considered for reversal.
The recoverable amounts of all CGUs or group of CGUs have been calculated with reference to their value in use. Value in use calculations are based upon estimates of future cash flows derived from the Group's strategic plan for the five-year period ending 30 June 2027. Future cash flows will also include an estimate of long-term growth rates which are estimated by business unit.
Pre-tax discount rates were re-assessed at 31 December 2022 and are applied to each CGU or group of CGUs' cash flows and reflect both the time value of money and the risks that apply to the cash flows of that CGU or group of CGUs. These estimates have been calculated by external experts and are based on typical debt and equity costs for listed gaming and betting companies with similar risk profiles. The rates adopted are disclosed in the table below.
Long-term growth
Pre-tax discount rate rate
Grosvenor venues 13% 2%
Mecca venues 13% 0%
---------------------------- -------------------------- ---------------------
As a result of the impairment test, the following impairment charges have been recognised during the period and disclosed within the separately disclosed items in the Group income statement.
Right of Intangible
Property, use and assets
plant and dilapidation
equipment assets Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
--------------------- ----------- --------------- ------------- ---------
Impairment charge
Grosvenor venues(1) 11.6 10.5 21.0 43.1
Mecca venues(2) 12.1 40.2 - 52.3
---------------------- ----------- --------------- ------------- ---------
23.7 50.7 21.0 95.4
--------------------- ----------- --------------- ------------- ---------
(1.) Impairment charges are recorded at the different individual Grosvenor venue CGUs. The total value in use of the CGUs where impairment charges were recognised totalled to GBP47.8m.
(2) . Impairment charges are recorded at the different individual Mecca venue CGUs. The total value in use of the CGUs where impairment charges were recognised totalled GBPnil.
Sensitivity of impairment review
The calculation of value in use is most sensitive to the following assumptions:
- revenue growth - discount rates - growth rates used to extrapolate cash flow beyond the forecast period
Whilst the Directors recognise that there is current inflationary pressure, management can take actions to mitigate controllable costs unlike revenue which is driven by customer demand and has the most significant impact for the impairment sensitivity.
Future projections contain inherent uncertainty. These uncertainties include changing customer behaviours, future geopolitical events which could impact consumer sentiment and disposable income, variable inflationary pressures on the operating costs of the business, the impact of inflation and increases in the cost of living on consumer demand and discretionary spending. The Directors note that this has had an impact on the accuracy of budgeting and forecasting for the current financial year, and this has been considered by Management when preparing their sensitivity for the impairment review.
The Group has carried out sensitivity analysis on the reasonable possible changes in key assumptions in the impairment tests for (a) each CGU or group of CGUs to which goodwill has been allocated and (b) its venue CGUs (including indefinite life intangible assets).
For Grosvenor venues and Mecca venues, the following sensitivities would result in changes to the recognised impairments.
Grosvenor Venues CGUs
Impact
Key Assumptions Reasonable Possible Change on Impairment GBPm
------------------ --------------------------------- ---------------- -------
10% decrease in revenue from
Revenue Growth year 1 Increase (18.2)
10% increase in revenue from
year 1 Decrease 7.5
Pre-tax discount
rates 1% decrease in discount rates Decrease 2.3
1% increase in discount rates Increase ( 7.9)
Long-term growth 1% decrease in long-term growth
rates rates Increase (1.8)
1% increase in long-term growth
rates Decrease 2.0
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------
Mecca Venues CGUs
Impact
Key Assumptions Reasonable Possible Change on Impairment GBPm
------------------ --------------------------------- ---------------- -------
10% decrease in revenue in
Revenue Growth year 1 Increase ( 4.6)
10% increase in revenue in
year 1 Decrease 5.8
Pre-tax discount
rates 1% decrease in discount rates Decrease 1.3
1% increase in discount rates Increase (0.1)
Long-term growth 1% decrease in long-term growth
rates rates Increase 0. 5
1% increase in long-term growth
rates Decrease 0. 7
--------------------------------- ----------------------------------- -------
9 Provisions
Indirect
Property related Disposal tax Pay Warranty
provisions provisions provisions provisions provisions Total
GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm GBPm
----------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
At 1 July 2022 (audited) 6.8 3.9 1.2 0.1 0.5 12.5
Created 27.2 - - - - 27.2
Charge to income statement
- SDI 7.3 - - - - 7.3
Released to the income
statement - SDI - (3.7) - - - (3.7)
Utilised in period (1.8) - - - - (1.8)
----------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
At 31 December 2022
(unaudited) 39.5 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.5 41.5
----------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
Current 7.9 0.1 1.2 0.1 0.2 9.5
Non-current 31.6 0.1 - - 0.3 32.0
----------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
At 31 December 2022
(unaudited) 39.5 0.2 1.2 0.1 0.5 41.5
----------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
Property related provisions
Where the Group no longer operates from a leased property, onerous property contract provisions are recognised for the least net cost of exiting from the contract. Unless a separate exit agreement with a landlord has already been agreed, the Group's policy is that this onerous contract provision includes all unavoidable costs of meeting the obligations of the contract. The amounts provided are based on the Group's best estimates of the likely committed outflows and site closure dates. These provisions do not include lease liabilities, however do include unavoidable costs related to the lease such as service charges, insurance and other directly related costs. As at 31 December 2022, property related provision include GBP36.5m provision for dilapidations and GBP3.0m onerous contracts provision.
Property provisions include provisions for dilapidations which are recognised where the Group has the obligation to make-good its leased properties. Following the recent closures of venues in FY22 and FY23, the possibility of future closures and the downturn in the trading outlook, together with a hardening position from landlords and recessionary environment making certain properties less attractive, the Group re-considered the basis of the dilapidation provision estimate and has recognised an additional asset and liability of GBP27.2m. These provisions are recognised based on historically settled dilapidations which form the basis of the estimated future cash outflows. Any difference between amounts expected to be settled and the actual cash outflow will be accounted for in the period when such determination is made.
Where the Group is able to exit lease contracts before the expiry date or agree sublets, this results in the release of any associated property provisions. Such events are subject to the agreement of the landlord, therefore the Group makes no assumptions on the ability to either exit or sublet a property until a position is contractually agreed.
Disposal provisions
In prior years, a provision has been made for legacy industrial disease and personal injury claims, and other directly attributable costs arising as a consequence of the sale or closure of previously owned businesses.
During the period, the Group have re-considered this provision by reviewing the historic claims and any final settlements made. The nature and timing of any personal injury claims is uncertain and therefore, in most cases, the payment could not be determined as probable. It was therefore determined necessary to release the provision of GBP3.7m and recognise the possible settlement of legacy industrial disease and personal injury claims as a contingent liability (see Note 12).
10 Borrowings to net debt reconciliation
Accrued interest and unamortised facility fees are classified as loans and borrowings. A reconciliation of loans and borrowings disclosed in the balance sheet to the Group's net debt position is provided below:
At At
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited
(unaudited) and restated)
GBPm GBPm
---------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Total loans and borrowings (78.4) (108.7)
Adjusted for:
Accrued interest 0.4 2.3
Unamortised facility fees (0.8) (2.0)
---------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
(78.8) (108.4)
Cash and short-term deposits from operations 89.7 162.0
Net cash excluding lease liabilities 10.9 53.6
Lease liabilities (169.2) (196.3)
---------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
Net debt (158.3) (142.7)
---------------------------------------------- ------------- ---------------
11 Cash generated from operations
Six months
Six months ended ended
31 December 31 December
2022 2021
(unaudited
(unaudited) and restated)
GBPm GBPm
------------------------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
(Loss) profit for the year (101.2) 84.0
Adjustments for:
Depreciation and amortisation 31.5 34.4
Net financing charge 6.0 6.5
Income tax charge 1.1 3.3
Share-based payments 0.2 0.3
Loss on disposal of property, plant
and equipment - 0.3
Separately disclosed items 97.3 (70.7)
------------------------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
34.9 58.1
Increase in inventories (0.3) (0.4)
Increase in other receivables (3.9) (22.9)
Increase in trade and other payables 20.5 22.4
51.2 57.2
Cash utilisation (receipt) of provisions (1.8) 0.1
Cash (payments) receipts in respect
of SDI (0.8) 81.7
------------------------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
Cash generated from operations 48.6 139.0
------------------------------------------ ------------------ ----------------
The Group restated the prior year cash flow format to start from (loss) profit for the year instead of operating (loss) profit. This method provides more comprehensive information which would be useful to the reader of the consolidated and company financial statements.
12 Contingent liabilities
Property arrangements
The Group has certain property arrangements under which rental payments revert to the Group in the event of default by the third party. At 31 December 2022, it is not considered probable that the third party will default. As such, no provision has been recognised in relation to these arrangements. If the party were to default on these arrangements, the obligation for the Group would be GBP0.9m on a discounted basis.
Legal and regulatory landscape
Given the nature of the legal and regulatory landscape of the industry, from time to time the Group receives notices and communications from regulatory authorities and other parties in respect of its activities and is subject to regular compliance assessments of its licensed activities.
The Group recognises that there is uncertainty over any fines or charges that may be levied by regulators as a result of past events and depending on the status of such reviews, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the likelihood, timing and value of potential cash outflows.
Disposal claims
As a consequence of historic sale or closure of previously owned businesses, the Group may be liable for legacy industrial disease and personal injury claims alongside any other directly attributable costs. The nature and timing of these claims is uncertain and depending on the result of the claim's assessment review, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the likelihood, timing and value of potential cash outflow.
Contingent consideration
On 21 April 2022, the Group completed the purchase of the remaining 50% shareholding of Rank Interactive Limited (formerly known as Aspers Online Limited) for a total consideration GBP1.3m. Of this consideration, GBP0.5m was paid in cash on completion in lieu of the outstanding loan balance the Company owed to the seller and GBP0.8m in contingent consideration included in Trade and other payables of the Consolidated balance sheet. The contingent consideration will be equivalent to a percentage of the net gaming revenue generated from the acquired customer database. A present value of GBP0.8m has been provisionally recognised for the contingent consideration and is dependent upon the date a competing online gaming operation is established.
At 31 December 2022, the Group settled GBP0.3m of the contingent consideration leaving a balance of GBP0.5m.
13 Related party and ultimate parent undertaking
Guoco Group Limited (Guoco), a company incorporated in Bermuda, and listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange has a controlling interest in The Rank Group Plc. The ultimate parent undertaking of Guoco is GuoLine Capital Assets Limited ('GuoLine') which is incorporated in Jersey. At 31 December 2022, entities controlled by GuoLine owned 57.5% (31 December 2021: 56.1%) of the Company's shares, including 53.4% (31 December 2021: 52.0%) through Guoco's wholly-owned subsidiary, Rank Assets Limited, the Company's immediate parent undertaking.
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IR BFMBTMTJTMBJ
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January 26, 2023 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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