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.

London (Reuters) – Ladbrokes could announce an interest in running Britain’s first Las Vegas-style supercasino when it unveils its 2006 results this week, an industry source said on Monday. Last month, Manchester was the surprise winner of a competition to host the supercasino, which although small by Las Vegas standards, is likely to be huge in UK terms, with 5,000 square metres of gaming space, 1,250 slot machines and 2,700 workers.