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Richard Desmond loses £1.3bn damages battle over national lottery licence
UK NewsBusiness•April 17, 2026 at 11:54 AMNational

Richard Desmond loses £1.3bn damages battle over national lottery licence

By Rob Davies•The Guardian - UK News

Media tycoon vows to appeal after dismissal of action against Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the franchiseThe 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. Continue reading...

Media tycoon vows to appeal after dismissal of action against Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the franchise

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.

Continue reading...

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