Former GVC Holdings Execs Lose Civil Case Against Gambling Commission

The Royal Courts of Justice has ruled against the former CEO and Chairman of GVC Holdings – the operator which became Entain – in a civil case made against British regulator the Gambling Commission regarding misuse of private information.

Alexander, who ran the company as CEO, and Lee Feldman, who was previously Chairman, filed the claim in October 2024, seeking damages and injunctive relief for what they alleged was a misuse of private information and injunctive relief.

Alexander and Feldman accused the Commission of disclosing their private and confidential information when intervening in their attempt to take control of 888 Holdings, which is now Evoke, in 2023.

What happened?

Alexander and Feldman were two of a number of industry professionals who had been building stakes in 888 Holdings, which by that time was parent company of William Hill, through investment vehicle FS Gaming Investments LLC. Alexander would have become chief executive of 888 Holdings, while Feldman would have been set to join the board.

However, the Commission launched a license review of 888 in 2023. At the time, HM Revenue & Customs was investigating GVC’s activities while Alexander was CEO there; Alexander was the head of the operator from 2007 to 2020. In March 2024, 888 confirmed publicly via a press release that the Commission had completed its license review without imposing any license conditions or financial penalties.

The claimants had argued they were not given the opportunity to address the Commission’s concerns directly, and said they had scheduled a meeting to discuss the issues prior to the conclusion of the Commission’s review of 888’s license.

A claimed “misleading impression”

The claimants believed this was a violation of the Commission’s own publicity code, which places limitations on the release of information regarding ongoing regulatory investigations. The reason for this being in place is to “protect individuals or operators from being unfairly associated with unsubstantiated allegations.”

In their lawsuit, the claimants alleged the Commission created a misleading impression of an adverse finding against both Alexander and Feldman, which they said caused them financial and reputational harm. The injunction that both executives had been asking for would have prevented further disclosures.

Judge rules in Commission’s favour

The claims have however been dismissed by Mrs Justice Eady, who ordered the claimants to pay the Commission’s costs. Reporting restrictions have been imposed by Eady, so the reasoning behind her decision to rule in favour of the Commission is unclear.

Separate criminal trial

Alexander and Feldman are two of 11 defendants set to face trial in the UK later in the decade for charges including conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has charged the individuals with alleged offences related to operations in Turkey carried out by GVC between 2011 and 2018. GVC changed its name to Entain Group in 2020.

Alexander and Feldman are among seven individuals charged with conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to bribe. Charges made against the other four executives involved in the case include fraudulent trading, fraudulent evasion of income tax, and perverting the course of justice.

Both Alexander and Feldman will face trial in February 2028; the trial is expected to last for four months, on the provision the defendants do not plead guilty to all charges.

GVC disposed of its Turkish business in 2017. In 2023, more than three years after Alexander and Feldman had left the business, Entain entered into a £615 million deferred prosecution agreement to settle HMRC’s investigation into the company, which focused on GVC’s alleged bribery offences that are said to have primarily occurred in Turkey. Entain agreed to pull out of unregulated gaming markets as part of the settlement.