DCMS Response

Rank Group PLC
22 September 2004


                                The Rank Group Plc
       DCMS Response to Joint Committee Report on the Draft Gambling Bill

The Rank Group Plc ('Rank') has noted the publication today of the response by
the Department of Culture Media and Sport ('DCMS') to the report issued by the
Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill which was issued on 22 July, 2004
(the 'JCDGB Report').

Rank welcomes the commitment that the Government has shown towards the process
of modernising the UK's outdated gambling laws. Rank is confident that the
introduction of new gaming machines and sports betting into casinos, the removal
of non-permitted areas, the abolition of the 24 hour rule for casino and bingo
and the relaxation of certain advertising restrictions for casinos, will be
positive for the UK industry.

However, there are aspects of the latest Government pronouncement which are
inconsistent with its policy objectives and which ignore the recommendations
made by the Joint Committee on the Draft Gambling Bill. In particular, Rank does
not understand the motivation behind the Government's desire to limit Category A
machines to regional casinos only. The JCDGB report noted that 'the Government's
proposals, as they affect the existing casino industry, are unnecessarily
restrictive and could have negative implications for the future of the
industry.' Rank believes that the proposals in the JCDGB report in relation to
these issues represent a sensible balance and will continue to lobby
aggressively in order to secure a more level playing field for the UK gaming
industry.

Commenting on the DCMS response, Mike Smith, Chief Executive, said:

'The Government's recognition of the urgency for the introduction for the new
bill is good news and we are excited at the prospect of operating under an
improved regulatory regime. We are continuing to lobby for further improvements
and hope that over the coming weeks the final details of the bill will be
resolved so as to ensure an early and smooth passage through Parliament.'

                                    - ENDS -

Enquiries:

The Rank Group Plc 020 7535 8000
Peter Reynolds, Director of Investor Relations

Press enquiries:

The Maitland Consultancy 020 7379 5151
Suzanne Bartch

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