UK gaming and leisure business Gala Coral's casino division performed strongly in the third quarter of the year, although overall the group saw its turnover slide.
For the 12 weeks to July 2, Gala Coral recorded turnover of £251.8m, eight per cent lower than in the same period in the previous year. Group EBITDA was 18 per cent down at £56.3m.
The company claimed its Gala Casinos business enjoyed an "excellent quarter," noting that all key metrics out-performed those of the previous year. The casinos portfolio, which includes 26 clubs across the UK and a multi-gaming complex in Gibraltar, delivered EBITDA growth of 30 per cent year on year.
For the 10 months to July 2, turnover was five per cent lower at £868m and group EBITDA dropped 13 per cent to £206m, a reduction partly attributed to the impact of poor winter weather, the VAT increase to 20 per cent in January, the 2010 World Cup and prior year non-recurring income.
