Urgent Casino Modernization Needed: Rank Group’s Plea to UK Government

The future of UK’s land-based casinos hangs in the balance!

Rank Group’s David Williams issues a crucial call for immediate modernization of the sector.

Envision vibrant, modern casinos thriving in the UK, adapting swiftly to new economic and regulatory landscapes.

Join the urgent call for action to ensure the survival and evolution of the UK’s cherished land-based casino industry.

Rank Group, a key player in the UK’s gaming sector, is making a pressing appeal for the government to expedite the modernization of land-based casinos. With significant changes looming, including a rise in the National Living Wage and static casino duty bands, the industry faces a £5m annual cost increase.

David Williams, Rank Group’s director of public affairs, stresses that the sector’s survival hinges on the implementation of white paper modernization proposals. These include updating gaming machine ratios, introducing sports betting in casinos, and expanding electronic payment options.

“The key to weathering these financial pressures lies in the government’s timely delivery of these reforms,” Williams asserts. He emphasizes the urgent need for modernization to offer a more contemporary casino experience, in line with global standards.

Casinos are on the cusp of being able to offer sports betting and transitioning from cash reliance to electronic payments. These steps are vital for keeping pace with international casinos and the broader UK gambling ecosystem.

Williams warns, “Time is not on our side. We’re racing against global standards and mounting costs.” The industry’s plea to the government is clear: maintain momentum in delivering the necessary legislation by the first half of 2024.

As the industry faces a pivotal year, the Rank Group looks ahead to a busier 2024. The hope is that, by summer, the long-awaited casino modernization policies will have materialized, justifying the wait.

In his recent Autumn Statement, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced consultations for a unified remote gambling tax, a move the Betting & Gaming Council views with skepticism, fearing higher taxes and negative impacts on sports funding. The Rank Group underscores the need for modernization ahead of these potential changes, positioning it as the only viable path to absorb forthcoming cost increases and maintain the industry’s vibrancy.