Two high-profile former executives of Entain have lost a civil claim in the UK High Court after accusing the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) of unlawfully disclosing private information that they said damaged their attempted leadership takeover at online casino operator 888 Holdings.
The claimants, Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman, former chief executive and former chair of Entain (owner of Ladbrokes and Coral), took legal action against the UKGC alleging misuse of private information and breach of confidence. They claimed that a regulatory licence review announcement in 2023, which emerged as they were pursuing leadership roles at 888 via investment vehicle FS Gaming, effectively leaked their private status in a concurrent criminal investigation and scuppered the deal.
High Court Dismisses Claim
On Monday, Mrs Justice Eady dismissed the executives’ case, concluding that their legal arguments did not establish an actionable breach by the gambling watchdog. The judge ordered Alexander and Feldman to pay the UKGC’s legal costs. Details of the judge’s reasoning have not been publicly disclosed because they are subject to a restrictive reporting order intended to prevent prejudicing ongoing related proceedings.
The judge’s ruling backs the UKGC’s position that its disclosures, including signalling a licence review to 888, were legitimately in the public interest and necessary in the regulatory context. The Commission also defended its actions as part of its statutory duties to protect licence integrity.
Background: Failed 888 Leadership Bid
The dispute stems from June 2023, when the pair acquired a 6.5% stake in 888 Holdings aiming to join its leadership. Shortly afterwards, the UKGC informed the company that it intended to open a licence review due to concerns linked to the pair’s previous roles at Entain and an ongoing investigation by His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) into alleged historic bribery. As a result, 888’s board said it could not obtain “the most basic assurances” and terminated the talks.
Alexander and Feldman argued that the regulator’s statements led to an unfair public impression suggesting they were unsuitable to hold positions at 888, even though the criminal investigation had not been concluded. Their lawsuit claimed the disclosures inflicted reputational harm and professional setbacks.
Criminal Proceedings Still Pending
Both men face criminal charges related to alleged bribery and fraud regarding Entain’s former Turkish operations (codenamed Operation Incendiary), with a multi-part trial scheduled to begin in 2028. The civil claim against the UKGC was separate from those proceedings but intrinsically linked through the licence review context.
Despite the loss in the High Court, Alexander and Feldman intend to appeal the judgment, according to industry reporting. The UKGC said it “welcomed the dismissal” of the claim.
