REPORTING On Thursday Rank Group announced that the current financial year would remain in line with market expectations despite its like-for-like revenue declining 7 percent and total revenue down by 5 percent during the 50-week period to Dec. 14, 2008.
The gaming company said its Mecca Bingo arm saw a 5 percent increase in spend per head offsetting a 5 percent decline in admissions during the 15 weeks to Dec. 14. During that same time period, like-for-like revenue for Blue Square, Rank’s I-gaming and betting business, increased by 1 percent, which the company said was driven by growth at Mecca Bingo Online.
However, the company said its online sportsbook remained disappointing. For the first 50 weeks of the financial year, Blue Square’s revenue grew by 3 percent.
"While the outlook for the U.K. economy in 2009 is uncertain, Rank has taken a number of key actions this year to strengthen the group’s position -- stabilizing trading, reducing operating costs and exiting its final salary pension plan,” the company said in a statement.
LAST CALL The Herald Sun reports that Tabcorp Holdings will be shutting down telephone lines two hours earlier than normal.
According to the newspaper, the action by the bookmaker upset Australian racing chiefs and punters.
“The racing industry has decided this, not us, because deregulating wagering has had a severe impact on our returns,” Robert Nason, Tabcorp’s managing director of wagering, told the Herald Sun.
AWARD-WINNING At the 2008 Mobile Entertainment Awards, Spin3 picked up the silver award in the “Best Mobile Game/Gambling Service Provider” category.
In celebration of the win, the mobile gaming company released its fourth game for Apple’s iPhone -- roulette. The game will join blackjack, “Tomb Raider” and “Major Millions.”
”Spin3’s iPhone casino games are an excellent example of what can be done through smart phone technology and a great achievement,” said Julian Pasin, head telecoms analysts at Visiongain, which holds the awards each year.
SOMETHING FOR THE HOLIDAY Microgaming Software Systems Ltd. has released a trio of new games, including a video slot called “Deck the Halls.”
The new game is a five-real, 30 pay line slot with Christmas trees, reindeers, roast turkey, blazing log fires and gift stockings on the mantelpiece, which the company would capture the essence of the holiday season.
The other two games, “Sunset Showdown” and “Reel Baron,” are both five-reel slots. The former has a Wild West theme, and the latter features ancient fighter planes, bombs, Zeppelins, flying helmets and shiny brass compasses.
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