UK-listed gambling operator Rank Group’s digital gains weren’t enough to prevent a profit plunge in the second half of 2018.

On Thursday, Rank issued its interim results for the six months ending December 31, 2018, during which revenue fell 1.7% to £348.2m, operating profit slumped 24.6% to £25.8m and pre-tax profits tumbled 30.5% to £22.8m.

Nonetheless, Rank’s shares closed out Thursday’s trading 6% higher, as investors were apparently able to see past the torrent of red ink and see the underlying strength of the company’s digital operations. Digital revenue was up 15.8% to £70.4m, although the digital gain was a more modest 5.1% on a like-for-like basis.

Rank said customer volume was up at both its Grosvenor and Mecca digital brands, while the Spanish-facing YoBingo! brand – which Rank acquired in May 2018 – was “performing ahead of acquisition plan.” Rank also said it successfully trialed its Grosvenor One single account and wallet offer in H1, which will now be rolled out near the end of Rank’s fiscal year in June.