Gamblers discover the great indoors at Rank

UNITED KINGDOM -- As reported by the UK Guardian: "Wet weather has mitigated the impact of a nationwide smoking ban at bingo-to-casino group Rank.

"Shares in Rank surged 11.7p, or 7.6%, to 166p this morning after it announced better-than-expected results.

"Since the smoking ban took effect in England on July 1, like-for-like revenues at Rank's English Mecca bingo clubs have dropped by 4%, though the blow was cushioned by promotions, higher prizes and the rainy summer which led people to look for indoor pursuits. Analysts at Morgan Stanley had expected a much steeper fall, of 12%.

"...Rank said it had learned from its experience in Scotland, where smoking has been banned since March 2006.

"...The group has installed outdoor shelters with bingo machines and introduced hand-held electronic terminals to cater for smokers. It also shut 10 clubs which would have become loss-making under the smoking ban..."