Although the increasing popularity of gaming via social networks represents both an opportunity and a challenge for its brands, the group remains concerned about the absence of regulation in this sector.
Its interactive arm spent us$ 10 million on UK website development, including tablet and social gaming development.
During the course of 2011/12, Rank achieved 20.8 % growth in revenue from digital media (online and mobile). The fastest growing channel of distribution was mobile media, which increased revenue by 158 % to us$ 11.3 million, with 30 % of its customers in Great Britain playing with its brands on mobile devices.
Rank was awarded licences to operate online and mobile gaming in Spain on June 1, which has allowed the group to establish a licensed brand website offering a range of games. It expects to be able to offer bingo online from the third quarter of 2012/13. However, until online slot games are brought within the licensing regime, the Spanish site is reportedly unlikely to make a material contribution to the group’s results.