Mecca Bingo and Casino Owner Begins New Era as CEO Retires

_{John O'Reilly will step down at the end of January. (Image: John O'Reilly/Linkedin)}

John O’Reilly, chief executive of Rank Group plc, owner of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, has confirmed he will retire at the end of this month after nearly eight years leading the FTSE 250 gambling operator.  

O’Reilly, 65, will step down on Jan. 29, at which point Chief Financial Officer Richard Harris will serve as interim CEO while the board conducts a search for a permanent successor. O’Reilly will remain with Rank to support the transition through the end of the current 2025–26 financial year.  

Rank said the leadership change follows discussions with the board and comes amid broader industry challenges, including regulatory pressures and recent financial setbacks.  

O'Reilly Brought in to Transform Gambling Group

O’Reilly was brought in as CEO in 2018 to stabilise and transform the long‑established gambling group after a period of underperformance. Under his leadership, Rank undertook significant investment in both its land‑based casino destinations and digital platforms, helping restore growth across its core operations.  

In its 2024 financial results, announced under O’Reilly’s stewardship, Rank reported substantial growth, with revenue of about £401.8 million and a 148% surge in operating profit, driven by stronger performance at casinos and online, according to an industry report.  

In the full year ending June 2025, Rank also posted double‑digit gains in net gaming revenue and a near doubling of operating profit as digital and venue operations grew. 

CEO Steered Company Through Some Rough Times 

O’Reilly guided Rank through high‑profile industry disruptions, including the pandemic, major regulatory reviews of UK gambling laws, and market tax shifts. During his tenure the company modernised Grosvenor Casinos and expanded its digital offerings while returning bricks‑and‑mortar and online segments to profitability.  

“It has been a privilege to lead Rank for the past seven and a half years, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished in that time,” O’Reilly said in a statement.  

His departure comes amid ongoing business challenges. Rank recently disclosed that its Spanish brands were the target of a €7.1 million payment fraud, and warned that UK tax increases on remote gaming could significantly reduce annual earnings.  

Rank Chairman John Ott said the board is confident Harris will provide continuity and strategic leadership during the transition. 

“His extensive gambling industry knowledge and operational expertise have ensured Rank is well positioned to build on the direction he established,” Ott said.  

Tributes to Outgoing CEO

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “John O’Reilly is one of the most experienced, respected and influential leaders our industry has produced, and his contribution to betting and gaming cannot be overstated.

“Across a distinguished career, including nearly two decades at Ladbrokes Coral Group and a previous role as a non-executive director at William Hill, John has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of both the commercial and social responsibilities of regulated betting and gaming. That experience was brought to bear during almost eight years at the helm of Rank Group, where he led the business through an extraordinary period of change with clarity, integrity and purpose.

“Under John’s leadership, Rank - including iconic brands such as Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos - continued to invest in its people, venues and technology, strengthened its commitment to safer gambling, and remained a major employer and taxpayer supporting communities and high streets across the UK."

“Rank has been a valued and long-standing member of the BGC since its formation, and John has been a thoughtful and highly engaged voice in discussions with government and regulators at a time of intense political and regulatory scrutiny.

“Personally, I’m sad to see him leave the industry. I’ve greatly enjoyed his sense of humour and convivial style, which have made him a pleasure to work with and a hugely respected figure across the sector. On behalf of the BGC and our members, I want to thank John for his exceptional leadership and long service, and to wish him every success in whatever he chooses to do next. We are also confident that Rank has a bright future ahead under Richard Harris’ leadership as Interim Chief Executive, building on the strong foundations John leaves behind.”

Michael Dugher, Chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: 

“I’m sorry to see John O’Reilly, the Chief Executive of Mecca Bingo and Grosvenor Casinos, leave the industry. I have always greatly valued his friendship and wise counsel, and the wider sector will miss his experience, sound judgement, absolute integrity and calmness under pressure. Those qualities are needed more than ever."

Dugher went on to say: “He leaves behind a strong record of success at Rank, achieved in some of the toughest circumstances our industry has faced. We worked closely together through the Covid pandemic and the gambling review, which delivered long-overdue deregulation for casinos after decades of campaigning, the abolition of Bingo Duty, and no increase in Machine Gaming Duty at the Budget.”