Rank Group’s chief executive has pointed to the company’s omni-channel approach as a critical tool for managing the increasing tax burden facing the business.
The operator, which runs both digital and land-based gambling products, believes combining these two channels gives it a competitive structural advantage over purely online rivals.
The UK government’s decision to raise Remote Gaming Duty has placed significant financial pressure on operators across the sector, forcing many to reassess their cost and revenue strategies.
Rank Group’s omni-channel model means it can spread operational costs and customer acquisition efforts across both its physical venues and online platforms simultaneously.
Land-based assets, including the company’s casino and bingo venues, provide a customer base that can be migrated to digital products, reducing overall marketing expenditure per player.
This crossover between physical and digital touchpoints is increasingly seen as a differentiator in a market where purely digital operators face the full brunt of duty increases.
The higher Remote Gaming Duty rate places a heavier tax burden on online gross gaming revenue, making it more expensive for digital-only operators to sustain margins at current levels.
Rank Group’s leadership has argued that its diversified model provides a natural hedge, since land-based gaming revenue is taxed under a different and comparatively lower rate framework.
The company has been investing in its digital infrastructure while simultaneously maintaining and developing its network of physical venues across the United Kingdom.
Industry analysts have noted that omni-channel operators are generally better placed to absorb regulatory and fiscal shocks than single-channel businesses that rely entirely on one revenue stream.
Rank Group is not alone in pursuing this strategy, as several major operators have moved to strengthen the link between their retail and online operations in recent years.
The broader context for these developments is a UK gambling market undergoing significant regulatory reform, with operators facing uncertainty on multiple fronts beyond just taxation.
For Rank Group, the executive commentary signals a clear strategic commitment to maintaining investment in both channels rather than pivoting exclusively toward digital growth.
The omni-channel philosophy also aligns with evolving consumer behaviour, as players increasingly expect a seamless experience whether they are visiting a venue or using a mobile app.
