Rank, a gaming corporation with a huge market share in the UK, has reported "modest improvement" of financial figures for Mecca, the corporation's chain of bingo halls.

In the 17 weeks up to April 27, Rank reported a 14% decline in like-for-like revenues from its Mecca bingo halls, compared to the 17.3% decline seen in the last four month of 2007.

All bingo hall operators have struggled to keep their profits at a reasonable level, as many are still seriously affected by the smoking ban, new gambling legislations and a double taxation burden.  The increased pressure has already forced many UK bingo halls to shut down.

Rank expressed their joy of the positive result despite the huge market strains and potentialy difficult future for the industry.  Shareholders were told at the yearly investors meeting: "We have achieved a degree of success in adjusting to the smoking ban and the new gaming regulations and have taken timely action to protect profits. Nevertheless we are conscious that the difficult consumer climate is likely to make 2008 a challenging year for the gaming sector."