(Ian Ritter is national online editor for GlobeSt.com/RETAIL.)

HOLLYWOOD, FL-The locally based Seminole Tribe of Florida is buying the Hard Rock café, casino and hotel business from gaming operator Rank Group PLC of London for $965 million, or about £490 million. The deal, which the parties expect to close in March, will give the Seminole Tribe 124 Hard Rock Cafes, four hotels, two casino-hotels, two live-music venues and equity interests in three hotel assets.

Rank is selling the chain to focus on its UK gaming operations, which include 113 bingo clubs across the country. Seminole executives, the owners of Hard Rock Casinos here and in Tampa through agreements with Rank, were not immediately available for comment.

The Rank affiliate that owns Hard Rock is Orlando-based Hard Rock International. Just over half of the cafés are operated through license or franchise agreements, while the rest are company owned. Rank will continue to own the Hard Rock Casino in London and will eventually convert it into one of its other brands. The Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas is owned by an independent operator.