Bookmaker Ladbrokes has pulled out of long-running talks over a potential GBP 450m acquisition of online gambling group 888 Holdings, saying America's crackdown on internet gaming had made any deal much too complicated. Shares in 888 fell 4¾ to 117¾p after Ladbrokes said that "the parties have amicably agreed to discontinue talks". Ladbrokes firmed 1½ to 405p.