Former Gambling Executives File Lawsuit Against UK Regulator
Two former senior executives of Entain, previously known as GVC Holdings, have started legal action against the UK Gambling Commission.
Entain’s ex-leaders file lawsuit against UK Gambling Commission.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Lee Feldman, the company’s former chair, and Kenneth Alexander, its former CEO, claim the regulator improperly disclosed personal information linked to an investigation into suspected bribery.
The lawsuit, submitted on October 24, 2024, but only recently made public, accuses the Gambling Commission of mishandling private data and causing reputational damage.
Given that this was the position of the defendant as the official regulator of betting and gambling in this country, such an impression is and was likely to be highly damaging and distressing to the claimants.
Dispute Began with HMRC Investigation
The legal proceedings stem from a long-running investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into GVC’s former operations in Turkey. Despite the sale of its Turkish business in 2017, allegations persisted that it had operated in the country’s grey market. The investigation led to Entain agreeing to a £615 million Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
In June 2023, Feldman and Alexander sought senior roles with 888 Holdings PLC, aiming to become a director and CEO, respectively and the Gambling Commission reviewed their suitability for these positions as part of its regulatory oversight.
Their bids for the 888 roles ultimately failed and a press release from the Gambling Commission became the focus of Feldman and Alexander’s legal complaint. The statement highlighted that the two executives had held “key functions” at GVC during the period under HMRC investigation.
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Unwarranted and Unnecessary Disclosure
The former executives argue that this disclosure was “unwarranted and unnecessary” and caused significant financial and reputational harm. Their lawsuit claims the press release created an unfair perception about their fitness for licensing, describing the information as “plainly private, regardless of whether it was true or not.”
Feldman and Alexander are seeking damages exceeding £50,000 and an injunction to prevent the UK Gambling Commission from releasing confidential details in the future. They assert that the regulator’s actions had inevitable adverse consequences, alleging that it violated their privacy rights and professional reputations.
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