Ex-gambling bosses facing UK criminal trial lose civil case against regulator | UK news
Two gambling executives facing bribery and fraud charges have failed in a separate civil case against the Gambling Commission, in which they accused the regulator of violating their privacy rights.
Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman, the former chief executive and chairman of Ladbrokes and Coral owner Entain, sued the gambling regulator last year over its interference in their failed attempt to take control of online casino company 888.
Talks broke down after the regulator told 888 its license would be reviewed due to concerns about the pair’s past roles at Entain, which is the subject of an investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into allegations of bribery.
The regulator asked 888 if it knew whether the two men were being questioned under caution or if they were suspects in the investigation codenamed Operation Fire.
In its statement to the stock exchange at that time, 888 stated that it could not obtain the “most basic assurances” that would address these concerns.
The pair’s case against the commission was based in part on their claim that the regulator had violated their privacy by causing the publication of a statement explaining the existence of the license review and the reasons for it.
On Monday, Mrs Justice Eady dismissed the claim and ordered Feldman and Alexander, known in the industry as “King Kenny”, to pay the Gambling Commission’s costs.
Details of Eady’s reasoning cannot be disclosed after he granted an interim order barring notice.
Entain has agreed to pay £650 million in 2023 as part of a deferred prosecution agreement relating to HMRC’s investigation into allegations of bribery at the company’s Turkish operations between 2011 and 2018.
Alexander and Feldman are among 11 defendants who have since been charged with fraud and bribery, with the trial expected to begin in 2028.
A spokesman for Feldman and Alexander said the two plan to appeal the decision.
The Gambling Commission said: “We welcome the dismissal.”
