Media tycoon vows to appeal after dismissal of action against Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the franchise
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The media tycoon Richard Desmond has vowed to appeal after a resounding defeat in his claim for up to £1.3bn in damages from the Gambling Commission over its decision not to award him the 10-year licence to run the national lottery.
Mrs Justice Smith dismissed Desmond’s claim on Friday, in a sometimes scathing written high court judgment that reserved particular criticism for “inexcusable” failings on the part of Desmond’s legal team.
Companies owned by the former proprietor of the Daily Express and Channel 5 launched action against the gambling regulator in 2022, starting a tortuous legal process in which Desmond’s costs were estimated to have reached £55m by May last year. Sources close to Desmond said the figure was significantly lower.
