Coral deal threat

Coral deal threat

LADBROKE's last-ditch attempt to gain regulatory approval for its pounds 363m takeover of rival bookmaker Coral yesterday ran into fierce criticism from opponents to the deal. William Hill, Ladbroke's arch-rival, and a group of independent bookmakers said they would write to Peter Mandelson, the new trade and industry secretary, to complain that Labdroke's offer to sell an extra 167 shops to the Tote would still leave as the dominant player in the industry. The DTI is due to decide on the merger within 20 days.