Media tycoon Richard Desmond has suffered a decisive defeat in his legal battle seeking up to £1.3 billion in damages from the Gambling Commission over the award of the 10-year national lottery licence. Mrs Justice Smith dismissed his claim in a High Court judgment on Friday, criticising “inexcusable” failings by Desmond’s legal team.
Desmond, former owner of the Daily Express and Channel 5, had argued that the Gambling Commission made “manifest errors” in the competition process, which was won by Allwyn, a vehicle owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komárek. The licence, worth £6.5 billion, has been operated by Allwyn since 2024.
The judge ruled that the claimants failed to establish any manifest error or that previous licence holder Camelot or Allwyn should have been disqualified. She described the legal approach as “unfocused” and a “movable feast”, with elements of the case being abandoned at the last minute, wasting court time.
Desmond vowed to appeal, with a spokesperson for his Northern & Shell company stating: “They won. We lost. We appeal. It’s not over.” The Gambling Commission welcomed the judgment, saying it “gives resounding support to good causes” and allows Allwyn to continue without further distraction.
Desmond had previously rejected a £10 million settlement offer and invoked EU law in his suit. His costs were estimated at £55 million by May last year, though sources close to him dispute this figure.
