According to court records in the UK High Court, former GVC Holdings executives Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman have filed a lawsuit against the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), alleging the exploitation of private information.
The complaint, handled by London-based legal firm Slateford, is based on “Part-53 of the Media and Communications Claims,” which is commonly used in disputes regarding privacy rights and personal data exploitation.
Alexander, former CEO, and Feldman, former Chairman of GVC Holdings (now Entain Plc), allege that confidential information was exploited during their recent effort to acquire a leadership role in 888 Holdings, now Evoke Plc.
In mid-2023, Alexander and Feldman’s investment business, FS Gaming, bought a 6.5% share in 888 Holdings and stated that Alexander would become CEO while Feldman would serve as chairman.
However, the UKGC expressed concerns about a then-ongoing HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) investigation into suspected bribery in Turkey, which was linked to GVC’s prior operations there.
The UKGC’s inspection prompted 888 Holdings to reassess its request
The UKGC’s inspection prompted 888 Holdings to reassess its request, eventually concluding that the appointments “have no reasonable prospect of being approved.” The regulator’s decision also included a review of 888’s operating licenses, which apparently influenced the company’s decision to end takeover talks with Alexander and Feldman.
The issue is viewed as one of several legal problems for Entain, the company that owns Ladbrokes and Coral. Entain settled with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for £615 million ($799.7 million) in December 2023 for the historic bribery probe in Turkey.
The deal addressed Entain’s exposure but did not cover past executives, possibly leaving Alexander and Feldman open to additional scrutiny.
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The CPS is apparently exploring additional proceedings, such as extending plea agreements to specific individuals, however it is unclear which former executives may be affected.
Barry Gibson, Entain’s current Chairman, remarked on the CPS settlement at the time, highlighting the company’s turnaround since its rebranding from GVC. “This legacy issue concerns a firm that was sold by a previous management team six years ago.
The firm has changed dramatically since then, and the DPA process has highlighted the remarkable transformation from the GVC of the past to today’s Entain,” Gibson added. He noted that Entain will continue to focus on operations in regulated markets, establishing itself as a corporate governance leader globally.
Alexander, well-known for his involvement in GVC’s fast development, oversaw the company’s purchases of bwin for £1.1 billion in 2016 and Ladbrokes Coral for £4 billion the next year.
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