High Court dismisses Alexander/Feldman trial against UKGC

• Former Entain executives Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman have had their civil claim against the UK Gambling Commission dismissed at the Royal Courts of Justice.
• The pair alleged the regulator misused private information during its intervention in their failed takeover bid of 888 Holdings in 2023.
• Mrs Justice Eady dismissed all claims and ordered Alexander and Feldman to pay the Commission’s costs.

The UK Gambling Commission has successfully defended itself against a privacy claim brought by former Entain CEO Kenny Alexander and ex-chairman Lee Feldman after the High Court dismissed their case on Monday.

The civil action alleged that the regulator misused private information and breached confidence during its intervention in the pair’s 2023 attempt to take control of 888 Holdings through their investment vehicle FS Gaming.

Mrs Justice Eady dismissed all claims and ordered the claimants to pay the Commission’s costs.

Takeover bid collapsed following regulatory intervention

In June 2023, Alexander and Feldman acquired a 6.5% stake in 888 Holdings with plans to install themselves in senior leadership roles. The Commission launched a licence review into 888 after learning of the pair’s involvement, citing concerns about their previous positions at GVC Holdings (now Entain) during a period under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs.

The regulator’s intervention prompted 888 to immediately terminate negotiations with FS Gaming in July 2023. The collapsed deal represented one of the highest-profile failed transactions in recent UK gambling industry history.

Alexander and Feldman claimed the Commission’s actions caused them “damage, distress and embarrassment, as well as the loss of standing”. They argued the regulator improperly disclosed information about the licence review and created the impression they were unsuitable to hold gambling licences.

Court imposes reporting restrictions

Mrs Justice Eady imposed reporting restrictions following her judgment, meaning no details of her reasoning have been published. The restrictions appear designed to prevent prejudice to upcoming criminal proceedings involving the claimants.

The Commission had defended its position by arguing it acted within its statutory duties and in the public interest. The regulator maintained it disclosed no genuinely private information and was fulfilling its obligation to protect licence integrity.

Legal experts note the judgment reinforces the principle that regulators can intervene in licensing matters where they have legitimate concerns, even if this impacts commercial transactions or reputations.

Criminal charges loom

Alexander’s legal difficulties extend far beyond this civil case. The former Entain chief executive faces trial in February 2028 on bribery and fraud charges related to alleged corruption in Turkey.

The charges stem from accusations that Alexander, Feldman, and other GVC executives conspired to bribe Turkish officials and defraud HMRC between 2011 and 2017.

The Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against 11 individuals in August 2025, including conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to bribe, fraudulent trading, and tax evasion offences.

The allegations concern GVC Holdings’ former Turkish-facing business, which operated as Headlong Malta and was sold in December 2017. All defendants have denied wrongdoing.

The criminal trial is scheduled as a three-part proceeding between 2028 and 2029. The first trial involving Alexander, Feldman, and five co-defendants will begin on 14 February 2028 and is expected to last four months.

Separate legal action against Entain

Alexander and Feldman have also launched separate civil proceedings against Entain and law firm Addleshaw Goddard. They allege the firm, which advised GVC on legal matters including its deferred prosecution agreement with authorities, withheld crucial legal advice.

Entain reached a settlement with the Crown Prosecution Service and HMRC in December 2023 over breaches of Section 7 of the Bribery Act 2010.

The company agreed to pay a financial penalty and disgorgement of profits totalling £585 million, plus a £20 million charitable donation and £10 million towards investigation costs.

The penalty contributed to Entain recording consecutive statutory losses of £900 million in 2023 and £450 million in 2024. Entain has described the claims brought by Alexander and Feldman as “without merit” and stated it will contest them.

Implications for regulatory oversight

The successful defence strengthens the Commission’s position in defending its licensing decisions and regulatory interventions.

The case demonstrates that even high-profile businessmen with substantial resources cannot successfully challenge regulatory actions on privacy grounds without clear evidence of wrongdoing.

The judgment provides clarity on the limits of privacy claims when regulators act within their statutory powers. While individuals retain rights to privacy, courts appear willing to defer to regulators acting in the public interest to protect licence integrity.

Forward-looking implications

The dismissal is likely to embolden the Commission to maintain rigorous standards when assessing individuals with complex legal or regulatory histories. The case sends a clear message that past conduct and ongoing investigations will be factored into licensing decisions.

For Alexander and Feldman, the failed privacy claim compounds their legal difficulties as they prepare for criminal proceedings. The judgment ordering them to pay the Commission’s costs adds financial consequences to their reputational challenges.

The case highlights the high stakes involved when senior industry figures face regulatory scrutiny alongside criminal investigations. As the 2028 trial approaches, the outcome will have lasting implications for how the industry approaches individual suitability assessments and regulatory compliance.

The broader saga demonstrates the serious consequences when allegations of historic misconduct emerge, even years after individuals have left their positions.