The firm that owns the Monte Carlo casino, Societe des Bains de Mer, is lining up to bid for Mayfair gaming venue Aspinalls in a deal valued at around £65m. Other bidders for Aspinalls are thought to include an Asian operator and a Las Vegas casino company. The Aspinall family and co-owner Australian leisure group Crown are selling the Mayfair business to expand their regional casino business, Aspers, which has sites in Northampton, Newcastle and Swansea. The Sunday Times, 6 March