Rank still on lookout for M&A opportunities

British casino operator Rank Group Plc is still on the lookout for M&A opportunities after talks over a joint bid for William Hill Plc ended last week, and will expand its online services to strengthen its business.

Gambling faces higher taxes and tighter regulations in Europe, and a series of mergers has intensified competition as firms market themselves to younger sports fans betting via mobile apps.

Rank and online gambling firm 888 Holdings Plc had wanted to jointly take over rival William Hill but they gave up their pursuit on Thursday, saying they had not been able to meaningfully engage with William Hill’s board.

Rank, whose business is predominantly in Britain where it owns the Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos chains, was still scouting for deals, its head said on Tuesday, after the company posted a 4 percent rise in annual profit but lifted its full-year dividend by 16 percent. “The company has been looking at M&A for the last 18 months and continues to do so and there is definitely a focus on the digital arena for that,” CEO Henry Birch told Reuters.

He declined to say whether Rank was now pursuing a two-way deal with 888.

Adjusted profit before tax rose 4 percent to £77.4 million ($102 mln) in the year ended June 30, helped by efforts to strengthen its multi-channel offer.