World renowned Harrah's Casino, which is close to being a household name, is wanting to expand their already huge corporation, to test the waters and adding online gambling, which would be based mainly in the UK.

This weekend however, according to the Telegraph Newspaper, stated that Rank PLC turned down the offer they had received from Harrah's, which was to include a 28% share in the group. Even though accepting the offer would have meant a significant expansion for Rank PLC, it would have also meant losing a considerable amount of their share of ownership.

British based, Rank PLC is both a land and online gaming group, with products including - Blue Square Poker, the Grosvenor Casino, and Mecca Bingo.

Harrah's, who may have seen Rank PLC as the perfect client to approach, because of the UK smoking ban that went into effect having a huge negative affect on the Bingo Halls, and the tax increase that the government put into affect, also had a negative affect on the casino's as well.

With Harrah's ideas of getting into the action to be found in the online gambling industry, they may be very well be pointing in the direction of Ladbrokes next.

- 2007-11-26