Rank spins wheel to become top casino operator

Rank has confirmed its status as Britain's largest casino operator with the £205m acquisition of the casino arm of rival firm Gala Coral.

The company, which owns Grosvenor casinos, will rebrand several of its 23 new venues under the more modern G Casino format. Privately-owned Gala Coral, which still owns bingo halls and a chain of bookmakers, is expected to carry on breaking itself up after this deal has completed.

Rank has an illustrious history that has seen it own assets including the Pinewood film studios and the Odeon cinema chain, but under chief executive Ian Burke it has recently concentrated on gaming. It owns the Mecca bingo clubs and is controlled by the Malaysian Guoco Group.