Community links are as important to Rank and its people as they are to our customers. Our businesses are more likely to succeed when they are part of healthy and supportive communities and we are committed to making a positive contribution to them.
Key areas of consideration
- Charitable initiatives
- Positive community impact
- Employment
- Reputation
How we engage
Our venues are community hubs in which people spend leisure time and engage and interact with other customers and with our colleagues. The strength of our business is in part due to the long-term trust and relationships which exist between our colleagues and customers, who very often will have known each other for many years. A key learning has also been how integral the role of our venues and keeping communities engaged has been particularly during, and as a result of, the pandemic.
We engage with the local community through volunteering, charity work and providing employment and work experience opportunities.
We are particularly proud of our nine-year partnership with Carers Trust.
2022/23 highlights
- Continued to support our communities through a wide range of initiatives and sponsorships, such as Blackpool’s Pride event, preparing meals for the homeless and held the KAV cup poker event to raise funds for charity.
- Supported the ‘Everyone Deserves an Easter’ campaign by distribution of hampers to local vulnerable and isolated people.
- Raised £283,018.91 during the 2022/23 financial year for Carers Trust, which works to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
- Promoted Rank Cares Grants, a grant programme for carers in the community. The grants are offered under three areas: (i) Carers Essentials Fund: funding for vital equipment such as washing machines, cookers, fridge freezers or beds, (ii) Carers Take Time Out Fund: funding to allow carers some respite time, and (iii) Carers Skills Fund: funding to enable carers to learn new skills to further support their work as carers.
- Promoted local job vacancies, working with local job centres and colleges to ensure job seekers can find local employment, and which has continued to be a successful recruitment method.
- Supported Carers Trust to raise awareness of the charity, hosting the Carers Trusts CEO on our Mecca TV online channel and our social media careers.
- In March, we supported the Young Carers Action Day which seeks to raise awareness of young carers and young adult carers.
Regulators and legislators
Regulators and legislators play a key role in shaping the gambling landscape and an ongoing open dialogue is essential to ensure we better understand the expectations underpinning regulation and that regulation is founded in an understanding of the customer. Regulators also monitor the high standards by which we operate.
Key areas of consideration
- Openness and transparency
- Compliance with laws and regulations
- Consumer fairness and player protection
- Policy and the direction of future gambling regulation
How we engage
Establishing and developing relationships with elected parliamentarians, government officials, industry peers and key stakeholders (such as campaign groups and media) was a key focus in the UK during this year, particularly in light of the gambling legislative reforms and the publication of the White Paper.
Engagement was conducted both directly and through industry bodies, such as the Betting and Gaming Council (‘BGC’), the Casino Chapter (within the BGC) and the Bingo Association. We strive to establish strong working relationships with the aim that our contributions are valued in terms of delivering customeroriented laws and regulations.
From a compliance perspective, we participate in regular meetings and communications with the UK Gambling Commission (‘Commission’), as well as other regulatory bodies and authorities by whom we are licensed. We have ensured Rank remains a ‘strong voice’ as we navigate the consultation process following the regulatory reforms.
2022/23 highlights
- Undertaken a programme of engagement with MPs and media during the year ahead of the anticipated UK Government’s White Paper for gambling reform and following its publication in April.
- Encouraged our local MPs to visit and join our Mecca club events to celebrate National Bingo Day in June.
- Attended and hosted at the Conservative party conference in Birmingham, and the Labour conference in Liverpool.
- Chair attended the Commission’s chairs roundtables during the year.
- Two of our Non-Executive Directors (‘NEDs’) attended the Commission’s NEDs roundtables held during the year, along with NEDs from other industries, new this year.
- Chief Executive attended meetings held at the BGC offices with the Commission’s CEO and senior officials during the year, with the Director of Public Affairs deputising as needed.
- Regular contact with officials in DCMS, including the current and former Gambling Ministers, as we sought to articulate the case for legislative change that supports Rank’s strategy.
- Members of BGC, Bingo Association and JDigital.
- Responded to the Commission’s proposed changes to the Annual Assurance Statement.
- Responded to the Commission’s consultation on the proposed changes to the Licence conditions and codes of practices.
