Deluxe & Ritek Joint Venture

Rank Group PLC
19 July 2002

THE RANK GROUP PLC ANNOUNCES DELUXE AND RITEK JOINT VENTURE

The Rank Group ('Rank') is pleased to announce a significant strengthening of
Deluxe's position in the fast growing DVD market through the formation of Deluxe
Global Media Services ('DGMS') a joint venture with Ritek Corporation ('Ritek'),
the world's largest manufacturer of optical discs. DGMS will combine the DVD
assets of Deluxe and Ritek in North America and Europe and will be 80% owned by
Deluxe. The major studio and other contracts held by Ritek will be transferred
to the joint venture.


Deluxe will pay Ritek $15 million on completion of the transaction and make two
further payments of $14.75 million on 1 January 2003 and 1 January 2004. Deluxe
will also assume a $5.5 million loan note payable to Ritek in 2004. The
consideration will be financed from existing resources. The transaction is
expected to complete within 30 days. Deluxe is expected to generate EBITDA in
excess of $10 million from its 80% share in DGMS in the first full year
following completion of the transaction.


DGMS will be a major player in the DVD market with replication facilities in
California and Ireland and authoring facilities in California, Pennsylvania and
London. Deluxe will be the exclusive provider of distribution services to DGMS
in North America and Europe, thus creating a complete supply chain solution for
customers in the home entertainment industry. DGMS has also entered into a
formal relationship with U-Tech, Ritek's DVD replication business based in
Taiwan, whereby U-Tech will serve as the primary provider of DVD offload from
the North American and European markets. This arrangement significantly enhances
DGMS's flexibility to meet customer needs, particularly in times of peak
volumes.


Mike Smith, Chief Executive, said:


'This is an important development for Deluxe which transforms its position in
the fast growing DVD market and complements its existing strengths in film, VHS
and distribution services.


Overall trading for The Rank Group has continued to follow the positive trends
set out in our AGM trading statement in April and is fully in line with our
expectations. Gaming and Deluxe results remain strong and trading at Hard Rock,
although still being affected by reduced levels of tourism, is in line with our
plans.'


ENQUIRIES:

The Rank Group Plc

Ian Dyson, Finance Director                                       020 7535 8013

Kate Ellis-Jones, Director of Investor Relations                  020 7535 8031

The Maitland Consultancy

Suzanne Bartch                                                    020 7379 5151




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