Joint Committee Report

Rank Group PLC
07 April 2004


RESPONSE TO JOINT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Rank Group Plc ('Rank') has noted the publication of the report issued today
by the Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill (the 'Committee') and welcomes
its conclusions.

The recommendations set out in today's report are a further substantial and
positive step towards the introduction of a new legislative framework. They
support the principles established in the original Budd report, which were
accepted by Government in 'A Safe Bet for Success'. These include the abolition
of non-permitted areas and also the 24-hour rule, the relaxation of advertising
restrictions for casinos and the introduction of larger numbers of gaming
machines with higher stakes and prizes.

The report is a detailed and comprehensive document. Rank welcomes in particular
the following recommendations:

• the current legislation which is over 35 years old, is in urgent need of
  revision and should be updated
• the Committee stated that 'there is no reason why the Gambling Bill
  should not be introduced in the current session of Parliament'
• the Gambling Commission should be responsible for all aspects of UK
  gaming including betting and will have strong powers
• no casinos, irrespective of size, should be allowed unlimited numbers of
  high payout slot machines

  - 3 machines per table for 'small' casinos should be reviewed
    after three years
  - 'large' casinos of over 10,000 square feet and 41 gaming tables
    should have a higher fixed ratio of machines to tables to be set by the
    Government following consultation with the industry. This is also subject to
    review by the Gambling Commission after three years
  - 'resort' casinos should be separately defined with a possible higher 
    ratio of machines to tables than 'large' casinos, up to a maximum of
    1,000 - 1,250 machines

• all casinos should be allowed to offer bingo and betting, although for
  'small' casinos this may be subject to local authority consent
• the linking of machines across casinos may be permitted in future, and
  therefore its prohibition should be removed from primary legislation,
  allowing its introduction by the Secretary of State through secondary
  regulation
• FOBTs should also be allowed in casinos and defined as a new category of
  machine. Their impact on problem gambling should also be considered
• the planning process for new developments needs to be clarified, in
  particular the definition of 'large' and 'resort' casinos
• remote gambling should be brought within the UK regulatory framework as
  soon as possible

Commenting on the Committee's report, Mike Smith Chief Executive said:

'We have consistently argued for a measured approach to the modernisation of the
UK's gambling laws and are delighted that the Committee has adopted a similar
stance. We are also encouraged by the recommendation that the law should be
changed on an urgent basis.

In-line with our strategy, we have continued to invest in our existing
activities by relocating casino and bingo operations to bigger and better
premises, as well as opening new premises under the current law. With 155
premises and a further 2 opening before the end of 2004, the Group already has
over 3.3m square feet of licensed gaming premises and is well placed to take
advantage of the new law, as and when it is introduced.'

ENQUIRIES:

The Rank Group Plc                     020 7535 8031
Peter Reynolds

The Maitland Consultancy               020 7379 5151
Suzanne Bartch




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