A High Court judge dismissed a privacy claim brought by former Entain executives Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman against the UK Gambling Commission, ordering the pair to pay the regulator’s costs and temporarily restricting publication of the court’s reasoning.
Mrs Justice Eady rejected the claim and awarded costs against Feldman and Alexander, who are known in the industry as “King Kenny.” Eady also imposed a temporary order preventing her reasoning from being reported, meaning details underpinning the decision cannot be disclosed at this time.
A spokesperson for Feldman and Alexander said the pair planned to appeal against the judgment. The Gambling Commission responded: “We welcome the dismissal.”
The civil case took place while Alexander and Feldman face criminal proceedings tied to alleged wrongdoing connected to Entain’s past operations. Entain, which owns Ladbrokes and Coral, agreed in 2023 to pay £615m under a deferred prosecution agreement linked to an HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into alleged bribery in 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 a trial due to begin in 2028.
The dismissed privacy claim stemmed from the regulator’s involvement in a failed corporate move involving online casino operator 888. Alexander and Feldman, Entain’s former chief executive and chair, had sought to take control of 888, but talks broke down after the Gambling Commission told 888 its licence would be reviewed.
The regulator’s intervention was connected to concerns about the pair’s earlier roles at Entain, which was the subject of HMRC’s bribery investigation. The Gambling Commission asked 888 whether it knew if Alexander and Feldman had been interviewed under caution or were suspects in the investigation, codenamed Operation Incendiary.
In its stock market statement at the time, 888 said it had not been able to obtain “the most basic assurances” to address these concerns.
Feldman and Alexander argued the commission breached their privacy by causing a statement to be issued that disclosed the existence of the licence review and the reasons for it. The court dismissed the claim.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/01/22/117240-high-court-throws-out-entain-exexecutives-privacy-claim-vs-gambling-commission
