Rank Group Moves Swiftly to Capitalise on Expanded Machine Limits
The UK Government has unveiled its latest reforms to the 2005 Gambling Act, paving the way for a notable shift in the operations of land-based casinos. Announced via draft legislation on 12 May 2025, the new measures will allow small casinos in England and Wales to host up to five gaming machines per gaming table, a significant increase from the existing limit of two. These changes are slated to come into force on 22 July 2025.
Rank Group Plans Major Machine Expansion
In response, Rank Group, the operator behind Grosvenor Casinos, has announced plans to boost its machine inventory by 882 units, taking its current total of 1,367 up to 2,249—a 65% increase. Rank operates 51 Grosvenor Casinos across the UK, and the rollout is expected to take place over the next two to three years, subject to planning and local considerations.
John O’Reilly, CEO of Rank Group, welcomed the reforms as a long-awaited opportunity to modernise the land-based casino environment. “This is a positive step forward for the sector, allowing us to enhance customer experience, invest in our venues, and support local employment,” he said, adding that the company would now accelerate its investment roadmap.
Additional Reforms: On-Site Sports Betting and Stricter ID Checks
The new draft Statutory Instruments also include permissions for on-site sports betting at land-based casinos—another key regulatory evolution. While this currently applies only to England and Wales, Rank has confirmed it is in active discussions with Scottish authorities to explore similar policy extensions north of the border.
Furthermore, from 30 August 2025, the legal framework will raise the threshold for mandatory ID checks from age 21 to 25, reflecting heightened efforts to protect younger patrons from gambling harm. A mandatory test purchasing scheme will be introduced across all gambling licence holders, ensuring consistent compliance and enforcement of age-verification procedures.
New Statutory Levy Targets Harm Prevention
Also included in the reform package is the rollout of a new statutory levy, with land-based operators to contribute 0.5% of gross gambling yield (GGY) and online operators up to 1.1%. The funds will be earmarked for research, education, and treatment (RET) efforts targeting gambling-related harm. This approach aligns with broader government efforts to rebalance regulatory priorities across both physical and digital gambling sectors.
Rank’s Financial Trajectory and Future Outlook
The reform announcement comes shortly after Rank Group published its Q3 FY2025 results, revealing a 10.9% year-on-year increase in net gaming revenue. The company is also expanding through new content partnerships, including a recent deal with game developer Octoplay. Investors and industry watchers will now turn their attention to Rank’s preliminary full-year results due on 14 August 2025, where the impact of these upcoming legislative changes may start to take shape in growth forecasts.
Conclusion: A Measured Step Toward Modernisation
While the reforms do not remove the 80-machine cap per venue, they mark a meaningful loosening of operational restrictions that have long constrained smaller casino venues. By enhancing both product variety and regulatory oversight, the UK Government appears committed to modernising its gambling framework while maintaining a clear focus on consumer protection and harm reduction.
As operators like Rank Group respond with fresh investments and expanded offerings, the land-based sector could see a much-needed revitalisation in the years to come.
