Rank saw net gaming revenue rise five per cent in the first three months of this year.

Like-for-like revenue from its digital business was up by 21 per cent offsetting a 17 per cent decline from its Mecca Bingo operation and a five per cent fall for its Grosvenor casinos.

The firm, which has Mecca Bingo’s across the Black Country and in Telford as well as a Grosvenor Casino in Walsall, said the Covid-19 pandemic was having a material impact on the group.

It is making progress on a plan to ensure that it withstands the crisis and re-emerges as a strong business. Rank is preparing for difficult trading conditions when it re-opens its venues businesses.

The executive and non-executive directors have volunteered a 20 per cent reduction in salaries and fees with effect from the start of April for as long as colleagues are in furlough.

The board does not intend to recommend a dividend be paid in October.

The Digital business continued to grow strongly. Grosvenor Digital grew NGR 27% in the quarter driven by continued growth in new players and strong levels of returning players. The proportion of Grosvenor’s NGR from multi-channel players increased to 44%, further demonstrating the opportunity to provide a fully integrated venue and digital experience to our customers. Mecca Digital also performed strongly with NGR up 20% with continued strong operational execution. Yo’s performance improved steadily through the quarter as the impact of management and operational changes made in Q2 started to take effect.

Yo’s NGR for the quarter was up 9% with YoCasino continuing to perform in line with the launch plan. Since the closure of our UK and Spanish venues, Digital NGR growth rates have increased further.

Assuming that all venues remain closed for the rest of the financial year to the end of June, underlying operating profit for the year is expected to be between £48 million to £58m.

Our response to the Government’s call for contributions to the national effort:

Non-furloughed staff are ensuring the Rank Group uses its venues, wherever and however possible within Government guidelines, to support key workers and vulnerable people.ties.

It has launched a new charity initiative in collaboration with Blue Light Card, the discount service for the NHS, Emergency services, social care workers and Armed Forces. Rank staff are providing free meals to these key workers from some of its UK venue kitchens.

Rank is also working with a number of MPs and local councils to ensure whatever capacity it has in kitchens is maximised to provide vulnerable people, including the homeless and elderly, with hot meals, cooked in Rank venues and distributed by its teams. Staffs are also calling our regular Mecca customers to check in on their wellbeing.

Chief executive John O’Reilly said: “With the tremendous support we have received from HM Treasury and HMRC, together with our own mitigations, we have established a robust financial position to address and withstand an extended period of economic turmoil. Given the uncertainty we face and continued social distancing measures likely to be in place for some time to come, we continue to work to protect cash and to prepare for the re-opening of our venues in as safe a way as possible.

“I am enormously proud of our colleagues and how they have responded to the decisions we have had to take as well as their selfless response and contribution to the national effort. We know how important our venues are in many local communities and we’ve answered the call to contribute by stepping up to help those who need it most right now.”