Product Launch

Rank Group PLC
13 March 2008




13 March 2008



Blue Square makes first move into overseas betting markets


Blue Square, the interactive betting and gaming company, announces the launch of
www.888sport.com ('888sport'), a pan-European sports betting service developed
and marketed with 888 Holdings plc.

The launch of 888sport.com, which marks Blue Square's first move into
international markets, gives 888's customers access to Blue Square's market
leading sports betting services under a 'white label' agreement.

888sport is initially available in English, Spanish, German, Swedish and Danish
and covers the full range of Blue Square's traditional sports (including horse
racing, football, tennis and golf) as well as a number of new sports (such as
handball), and increased coverage on more 'continental European' focused sports
like basketball and ice-hockey.

Martin Belsham, Managing Director of Blue Square, said: 'Blue Square has earned
a strong reputation in the UK for innovation in interactive betting and gaming.
Today marks the company's first move overseas, bringing together Blue Square's
market-leading sports betting products with 888's international brand strength.
The launch of a multi-lingual sportsbook is part of our strategy to access a
broader customer base by developing and marketing gaming and sports betting
products for the international marketplace.'

Blue Square, which is part of The Rank Group Plc, plans further international
development, with the launch later this year of www.bingouniversal.com, an
online bingo business for the Spanish gaming market.

Gabi Campos, Senior VP, Head of Offering for 888 said: 'We are delighted to
offer our customers an international betting experience with endless options to
take part in sports events, whether live, seasonal or in the future. Our
international launch reinforces 888's strategy of creating a large community of
people consuming entertainment content online. The complementary skills and work
cultures of the 888 and Blue Square teams mean we are confident of completing a
global rollout by the end of 2008.'



Ends


Further information


Blue Square/Rank Group

Dan Waugh, Director of Investor Relations                   [phone]



FD

Ben Foster                                                  [phone]



About Blue Square

Blue Square is one of the UK's leading interactive bookmakers using a
combination of technology, product and content to provide customers with the
best online gaming experience. Blue Square has grown from its traditional
bookmaking business to offer all aspects of the gaming market including casino,
slots, poker and bingo, whilst its fixed odds betting services covers many
channels including the Internet, Interactive TV, WAP and telephone. Blue Square
also operates online bingo for Mecca Bingo as well as the poker and casino sites
for the Grosvenor Casinos chain.

Blue Square was a wholly owned subsidiary of the Intercapital Group Ltd (ICAP)
until January 2003 when it was acquired by The Rank Group Plc, one of the UK's
leading leisure and entertainment companies.


About The Rank Group Plc

The Rank Group Plc ('Rank') is a leading European gaming and betting business,
based in the UK and listed on the London Stock Exchange (RNK.L). Its principal
activities are the operation of bingo clubs and casinos with complementary
interactive gaming and bookmaking services. In 2008 Rank operates businesses in
the following markets:


Bingo clubs
  • Mecca Bingo (Great Britain)
  • Top Rank Espana (Spain)


Casinos
  • Grosvenor Casinos (Great Britain and Belgium)


Interactive gaming and betting
  • Blue Square (Europe)


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange               UPRGMP