** Shares of Rank Group RNK.L gains 1.3% to 91.9 pence

** RNK reports HY adj like-for-like operating profit up 55% to 32.9 mln pounds ($40.93 mln)

** Posts HY LFL net gaming rev 401.8 mln pounds, up 13%

** Sees adj LFL operating profit for year ending June 30, 2025, slightly ahead of current expectations

** Second half will see inflationary employment cost headwinds & negative financial impact of some of the measures in Gambling Act, says CEO John O'Reilly

** Also, proposes interim dividend of 0.65 pence per share

** Stock rose ~14% in 2024

($1 = 0.8037 pounds)

(Reporting by Ankita Bora in Bengaluru)

((Ankita.Bora@thomsonreuters.com;))