Bookmaker braced for fresh takeover attempt as deadline looms

William Hill are braced for another bid to take over the company this week with suitors Rank Group and 888 reported to be weighing up an improved offer.

Last week Hills dismissed a £3.2 billion bid, which chairman Gareth Davis described as substantially undervaluing the business and "highly opportunistic".

The bookmaker said the complexity of the deal would involve putting shareholders at substantial risk, even though Rank, which owns Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca bingo halls, and online gaming company 888 believe a tie-up can deliver £100 million in cost savings by 2020.