Hill to Become Biggest Bookie

16 May 2005

UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the U.K. Observer: "William Hill is set to become Britain's biggest bookmaker this week. The FTSE-100 high street betting shop firm is expected to reach agreement to buy 600 betting shops from rival Stanley Leisure for at least £500 million (US$918.65 million).

"Hill's will have 2,200 shops and will overtake Ladbrokes, currently Britain's most powerful betting outfit.

"With the £500m that Stanley will pocket from the deal, the odds on it merging with rival London Clubs International will inevitably shorten. This would make the combined outfit the country's most powerful casino operator. The two firms both have Malaysian gaming group Genting Berhad as their biggest shareholder.

"Stanley will now focus on its casino arm and will be in a strong position to lay claim to many of the 17 new licences created by the new Gambling Act.

"…Hill's has enjoyed a meteoric rise since it floated on the stock exchange three years ago. Now a FTSE-100 company, it owns 1,600 shops and has a thriving internet and telephone business making full-year pre-tax profits of £205m…"

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	Hill to Become Biggest Bookie 16 May 2005 UNITED KINGDOM – As reported by the U.K. Observer: "William Hill is set to become Britain's biggest bookmaker this week. The FTSE-100 high street betting shop firm is expected to reach agreement to buy 600 betting shops from rival Stanley Leisure for at least £500 million (US$918.65 million). "Hill's will have 2,200 shops and will overtake Ladbrokes, currently Britain's most powerful betting outfit. "With the £500m that Stanley will pocket from the deal, the odds on it merging with rival London Clubs International will inevitably shorten. This would make the combined outfit the country's most powerful casino operator. The two firms both have Malaysian gaming group Genting Berhad as their biggest shareholder. "Stanley will now focus on its casino arm and will be in a strong position to lay claim to many of the 17 new licences created by the new Gambling Act. "…Hill's has enjoyed a meteoric rise since it floated on the stock exchange three years ago. Now a FTSE-100 company, it owns 1,600 shops and has a thriving internet and telephone business making full-year pre-tax profits of £205m…"