Two high-profile executives in the UK's gaming industry, Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman, who are facing serious criminal charges of bribery and fraud over their alleged involvement in an investigation into Entain, the parent company of Ladbrokes and Coral, have lost a separate civil case against the Gambling Commission.
The pair, known as "King Kenny" and former chair and chief executive of Entain respectively, had accused the regulator of breaching their right to privacy after it intervened in Entain's failed attempt to take control of online casino company 888. The commission had reviewed 888's licence due to concerns about Alexander and Feldman's past roles at Entain, which was under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over alleged bribery.
The regulator asked 888 if the pair were suspects in the investigation and whether they had been interviewed under caution. However, the commission claimed that its actions did not amount to a breach of Alexander and Feldman's right to privacy, as it only issued a statement disclosing the licence review without specifying why the pair were involved or providing further details about their alleged roles in the Entain investigation.
A judge has dismissed the pair's claim against the Gambling Commission, ordering them to pay the regulator's costs. The decision means that Alexander and Feldman will have to foot the bill for the commission's efforts to investigate its role in the controversy surrounding Entain and 888.
Alexander and Feldman are among several defendants who will face trial next year on charges of fraud and bribery related to their alleged involvement in the investigation into Entain's Turkish operations.
The pair, known as "King Kenny" and former chair and chief executive of Entain respectively, had accused the regulator of breaching their right to privacy after it intervened in Entain's failed attempt to take control of online casino company 888. The commission had reviewed 888's licence due to concerns about Alexander and Feldman's past roles at Entain, which was under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over alleged bribery.
The regulator asked 888 if the pair were suspects in the investigation and whether they had been interviewed under caution. However, the commission claimed that its actions did not amount to a breach of Alexander and Feldman's right to privacy, as it only issued a statement disclosing the licence review without specifying why the pair were involved or providing further details about their alleged roles in the Entain investigation.
A judge has dismissed the pair's claim against the Gambling Commission, ordering them to pay the regulator's costs. The decision means that Alexander and Feldman will have to foot the bill for the commission's efforts to investigate its role in the controversy surrounding Entain and 888.
Alexander and Feldman are among several defendants who will face trial next year on charges of fraud and bribery related to their alleged involvement in the investigation into Entain's Turkish operations.