Rank Group sought to draw a line under a torrid 12 months with a return to growth in its beleaguered bingo and casino businesses in recent weeks and pinning its hopes on positive outcomes in regulatory changes and VAT rulings.

The six weeks to October 12 saw revenues in Grosvenor Casino climb 14 per cent and those in Mecca Bingo rise 2 per cent compared with the equivalent period last year.