A winning streak for casino punters and a quieter summer at Mecca bingo halls as more people gamble online knocked sales at gaming firm Rank today.

Its overall revenues were flat on a year earlier in the 16 weeks to October 16, having grown 4.6% in the six months to June 30, despite a surge in online gaming driven by strong demand for Meccabingo.com.

Visitor numbers at its 99 Mecca halls declined 3% in the 16 weeks, although this was offset by a 2% increase in average spend, leaving like-for-like revenues at the division flat.

And the growth in customer numbers at its 35 Grosvenor casinos slowed to 7%, while big winnings in London left overall revenues down 1%.

Rank warned that consumer trends are likely to be "more challenging" in 2012.