FAILING.. AS IT’S RANK OUTSIDE

Casino chain owner Rank is on a losing streak caused by the weather and fewer big-money gamblers.

Shares in the firm, which also owns Mecca bingo halls, took a pasting yesterday as it warned the slowdown would dent profits.

Bosses said fewer people visiting its venues was made worse by the bad weather.

Sales in its Grosvenor casinos fell 9% in the 13 weeks to the start of April, with Mecca down 2%.

Full-year profits would miss expectations of £83million as a result, it said.