Rank Group’s latest results show its interactive wing is continuing to polish their balls giving them the gleam of a Greek god. Revenue for Rank Interactive was up 24% to 71.8m for 2011 with operating profit increasing 15.2% to £9.1m. The firm puts this down to “particularly strong performance by the Mecca Bingo brand.” For the group as a whole operating profit increased 3.4% for the full year to £64.1m with the biggest blip coming in their Spanish business. An 89% decline in profits was put down to a smoking ban being enforced countrywide. Looking forward the company confirmed “a further announcement will be made in due course” regarding the purchase of Gala’s stable of land-based casino business locations.
Betting exchange Betfair is on the look out for a new global marketing and brand director after the incumbent departed after five years. Oscar Nieboer left the firm last month to pursue opportunities outside gaming. Betfair confirmed this in a statement reading: “Oscar has left Betfair to pursue a career outside of betting and gaming. During his time at Betfair, he played a key role in shaping Betfair’s marketing strategy and we wish him every success in the future.”
In terms of a replacement, the company told us: “Alex Hathway has taken on the role of Central Marketing Director. He has been at Betfair for six years and during that time has headed up Customer Marketing, International Marketing and more recently Product Marketing.”
Betdaq has agreed to an expanded sponsorship deal with Jockey Club Racecourses moving the partnership into a second year. The contract extends to 10 of the firm’s courses and is understood to be worth six-figures. It means a second year of support for midweek Flat racing at Kempton Park with the Betdaq Wednesday Winner Series back with a vengeance. The exchange will undertake sponsorship of Aintree’s evening fixture in May as well as Haydock Park’s Apprentice Series. That’s in addition to banners being present at another seven Jockey Club courses.
