23-04-2007 Ladbrokes and 888 have amicably agreed to discontinue takeover talks

Following separate statements to the London Stock Exchange, and despite the Board of 888 Holdings said the outlook for the online casino operator remains unchanged since the last trading update, shares in 888 closed the day 4 per cent lower at 117.75p.

"Ladbrokes didn't need to do the deal, and it really didn't need the legal uncertainty," commented Nigel Parson, leisure analyst at Evolution Securities.