The stakes couldn’t be higher. Billionaire media tycoon Richard Desmond is gearing up for an epic courtroom clash with the UK Gambling Commission that could cost charities tens of millions of pounds. The battle royale stems from Desmond’s failed bid to operate the lucrative National Lottery.
Desmond, the former owner of Express newspapers and an array of media properties, launched a high-profile legal challenge against the Commission in 2022 after they awarded the coveted 10-year lottery contract to Czech operator Allwyn. Desmond’s Northern & Shell, along with incumbent Camelot, were left out in the cold.
Now, sources reveal that Desmond has rejected a settlement offer from the gambling watchdog that would have seen him drop the case for a mere £10 million. It’s a far cry from the jaw-dropping £200 million in damages the tycoon is reportedly seeking.
Charities Caught in Crossfire as Costs Mount
The Commission has already indicated that any damages they’re forced to pay out would come directly from funds earmarked for good causes. That means charities, sporting organizations, and community projects relying on National Lottery funding could take a massive hit.
Undeterred, Desmond seems hell-bent on having his day in court. Insiders say it’s not about the money for the billionaire, but a burning desire for transparency around how the lucrative lottery contract was awarded.
The tycoon divides his time between London and Dubai, after securing a “golden visa” from the United Arab Emirates following the general election result, which has reportedly led him to “lose confidence” in Britain.
Commission Calls Case “Astonishing”
For their part, the Gambling Commission has blasted Desmond’s legal action as an “astonishing” attempt to have a “second bite at the cherry” and score a windfall. Court documents show they found his original lottery bid had “no chance of winning.”
Desmond is said to be incensed that the regulator allowed him to keep racking up costs pursuing the bid when they knew it was unlikely to succeed. He believes they should have put him out of his misery much sooner.
October Court Date Looms as Negotiations Collapse
With settlement talks collapsing spectacularly, the two sides are now on a collision course for an October court date that’s sure to be a media circus. Only a dramatic 11th-hour return to the negotiating table seems likely to stop Desmond and the Commission from having an epic showdown in front of the judge.
At the center of the storm is the hotly contested fourth National Lottery license, which ended Camelot’s 28-year stranglehold on the iconic draw. But the competition process has been mired in controversy from day one.
Allwyn’s Russian Ties Spark Concern
Politicians have sounded the alarm over a perceived lack of transparency in how Allwyn scooped the estimated £6.5 billion contract. Eyebrows have been raised over Allwyn owner Karel Komárek’s past business dealings with Russian state entities.
As the court date looms, the Gambling Commission and Northern & Shell are staying tight-lipped. Both parties declined to comment when approached by journalists, leaving an air of mystery around what’s sure to be a high-stakes legal thriller with hundreds of millions on the line. The only sure bet? It won’t be your typical day in court.
Now, all eyes are on Desmond and the Gambling Commission as they gear up for their epic courtroom clash. With charities and good causes hanging in the balance, the stakes couldn’t be higher in this high-society standoff. Will the two sides blink and return to the negotiating table for a last-minute settlement? Or will they roll the dice in court and let a judge decide their fate? Only one thing is certain in this real-life drama – when Desmond and the regulator face off, everyone will be watching to see who hits the jackpot and who’s left counting their losses.
