12-07-2007 Rank Group in informal talks with Harrah's Entertainment

While a source close to the government said the plan to build Las Vegas-style supercasinos in the UK is "pretty much dead in the water", stock market rumours suggest the Rank Group, owner of Mecca Bingo, Grosvenor Casinos and Blue Square internet betting operation, is in talks with the Las Vegas casino giant Harrah's Entertainment.

Harrah's Entertainment, organizers of the World Series of Poker, had already been named as a possible suitor of Rank Group in December 2006.