Further change is to occur at Rank Group later this month, as John O’Reilly will be retiring as Chief Executive Officer of the casino operator on 29 January 2026.
O’Reilly will continue to support Rank until the end of the current 2025/26 financial year. He will be replaced by current Chief Financial Officer Richard Harris as interim CEO, effective 30 January. The search for a permanent CEO has begun.
“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.
“I am pleased that Richard will now take Rank to the next stage of what I am sure is a bright future and wish the Group every success.”
O’Reilly was appointed as CEO of Rank back in April 2018. He has led the group through several events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK government’s gambling act review white paper.
The change at the top comes as Rank plans how to navigate the UK gambling industry following the announcement of remote gaming duty increases through the government’s budget, to which the group said it would be reviewing its UK digital operations in terms of “profitability, investment plans and the competitive landscape”.
Changes all around
O’Reilly’s departure also follows the appointment of John H Ott as Chair of Rank back in November, replacing interim Chair Karen Whitworth, who resumed her role as a Senior Independent Director and as Audit Chair.
“On behalf of the Board and everyone at Rank, I would like to express my sincere thanks to John O’Reilly for his leadership of and passion for Rank since his appointment as CEO in April 2018,” stated Ott.
“His extensive gambling industry knowledge and experience, as well as deep operational skills have combined to ensure that Rank is well positioned to build on the direction he established. In addition, John has contributed significantly to the betting and gaming industry for decades. We wish him all the very best.”
Replacing O’Reilly, Harris has been CFO and a part of the Rank board since May 2022. He brings experience in consumer-facing businesses, driving financial performance, contributing to strategy development and improving operational execution to the CEO position.
Ott added: “As interim CEO, the Board are confident Richard Harris will provide both important continuity and the strategic leadership required to drive the performance of the business and maximise shareholder returns. The Board and I look forward to continuing to work closely with him to realise those ambitions.”
O’Reilly’s exit also comes as Rank’s Spanish operations – Enracha and Yo – were impacted by payment fraud last month, which totalled to costs of approximately €7.1m and is currently being investigated by the relevant authorities alongside an internal investigation.
The operator also clarified that the incident would be a separately disclosed item within its financial report later this month.
