Ex-GVC executives charged in UK over Turkish gambling operations

• Eleven individuals, including former GVC executives, are charged over alleged offences linked to gambling services in Turkey
• Charges include conspiracy to defraud, bribery, fraudulent trading, tax evasion and perverting the course of justice
• First hearing scheduled for 6 October at Westminster Magistrates’ Court; Entain itself is not charged

Eleven people, including former executives of GVC, the owner of British gambling firm Ladbrokes, have been charged by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) over alleged offences connected to gambling services in Turkey between 2011 and 2018. The charges, announced on Thursday, include conspiracy to defraud, bribery and other financial crimes.

Kenny Alexander, GVC’s former chief executive until July 2020, faces charges of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe relating to the provision of gambling services in Turkey. Lee Feldman, the former non-executive chairman of GVC, is also charged with the same offences.

The CPS confirmed the eleven defendants, including Alexander and Feldman, are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 October. Entain, the company formerly known as GVC, stated: “The company has not been charged and none of the individuals charged are currently employed by the company or its group.” Following the announcement, Entain shares fell 1.2% to 874.8 pence on the London Stock Exchange.

The investigation, led by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) over six years, covers the former Turkish-facing online gambling business. Ten people are charged with offences between 2011 and 2018, while one person faces a charge linked to the HMRC investigation. The allegations encompass bribery, conspiracy to defraud, fraudulent trading, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax, acting as a director while undischarged bankrupt, and perverting the course of justice.

“Our prosecutors have worked closely with officers of HM Revenue and Customs who have carried out the investigation,” said Hannah von Dadelszen, chief crown prosecutor for the CPS. “The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against these defendants are active and that they have a right to a fair trial. It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”

Richard Las, director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said: “This has been a complex and international investigation. These are serious charges that relate to conspiracy to defraud, bribery, cheating the public revenue, evasion of income tax and perverting the course of justice among others. We remind everyone that proceedings are now active and we won’t be adding anything further.”

In December 2023, Entain entered a deferred prosecution agreement with the CPS to settle the HMRC investigation, paying a financial penalty and disgorgement of profits totalling £585 million, alongside a charitable donation of £20 million and a £10 million contribution to CPS and HMRC costs.

Eleven individuals charged:

• Kenneth Alexander – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Richard Cooper – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Robert Dowling – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Lee Feldman – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• James Humberstone – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Alexander MacAngus – Conspiracy to Defraud (2011–2018)
• Scott Masterton – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018), Fraudulent trading (2011–2017), Cheating the Public Revenue (2011–2017), Acting as a director while undischarged bankrupt (2010–2017)
• Caroline Roe – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018), Fraudulent trading (2011–2017), Fraudulent evasion of income tax (2012–2017)
• Raymond Smart – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Richard Raubitschek-Smith – Conspiracy to Defraud, Conspiracy to Bribe (2011–2018)
• Robert Hoskin – Perverting the Course of Justice (February 2024)