Eyes Openers
  • World News
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Politics
  • World News
  • Business
  • Stocks
  • Politics

Eyes Openers

Business

Richard Desmond drops part of his claim in National Lottery dispute as £1.3bn trial approaches

by July 30, 2025
July 30, 2025
Richard Desmond drops part of his claim in National Lottery dispute as £1.3bn trial approaches

Businessman Richard Desmond has withdrawn part of his £1.3 billion legal challenge against the Gambling Commission over the awarding of the fourth National Lottery licence, just months before the case heads to trial in October.

Desmond’s companies, Northern & Shell and The New Lottery Company, are suing the Commission over claims that the bidding process for the lucrative ten-year contract was unfair. The contract was awarded to Allwyn, the lottery operator owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komarek, which took over from Camelot, the previous licence-holder. Allwyn is named as an interested party in the proceedings.

Earlier this month, Desmond indicated that he would no longer pursue some of the allegations regarding how the Commission scored applications for the licence. The partial withdrawal does not affect the overall direction of the case, which is still set for a full trial in October. If Desmond’s claim succeeds, it is likely that UK taxpayers will foot the bill, either via Treasury funds or through money normally earmarked by the National Lottery for good causes.

The Gambling Commission reportedly offered a £10 million settlement last year, which was rejected by Desmond, prompting the continuation of the case.

Desmond, the former owner of the Daily Express, Channel 5, and a string of adult magazine titles, claims the bidding process lacked fairness and transparency. The lawsuit has become one of the most high-profile procurement challenges in recent years.

In June, Desmond won a procedural victory when the High Court refused a request for him to post £15 million in security for costs. Lawyers acting for Allwyn have warned that if Desmond loses, he could face legal costs of at least £55 million.

Questions have also been raised about Desmond’s capacity to finance the lengthy litigation. While The New Lottery Company reported a pre-tax loss of £127,000 in 2023, Northern & Shell reported £20.8 million in cash reserves. Desmond’s legal team has maintained that the company is well-resourced and committed to pursuing the claim.

“It would be fanciful to suggest that a company of Northern & Shell’s stature would seek to tarnish its commercial reputation to avoid any adverse cost,” said Sa’ad Hossain KC, representing the group. “Any such cost would be an insignificant proportion of its assets.”

With the trial scheduled for the autumn and pressure mounting over the potential public cost of the claim, Desmond’s partial withdrawal may narrow the legal battlefield, but it leaves the core of the dispute—and the £1.3 billion damages claim—very much alive.

Read more:
Richard Desmond drops part of his claim in National Lottery dispute as £1.3bn trial approaches

previous post
Payday for George Osborne as Robey Warshaw sold to Evercore for £146 million
next post
HMRC scores tax windfall from Lionesses’ Euro 2025 prize money

Related Posts

Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group warns of ‘dark clouds’...

July 17, 2025

Decline in pension fund demand for UK bonds...

July 15, 2025

A Deep Dive into Duron Ontario Ltd.’s Construction...

July 12, 2025

    Get free access to all of the retirement secrets and income strategies from our experts! or Join The Exclusive Subscription Today And Get the Premium Articles Acess for Free

    By opting in you agree to receive emails from us and our affiliates. Your information is secure and your privacy is protected.

    Popular Posts

    • A GOP operative accused a monastery of voter fraud. Nuns fought back.

      October 24, 2024
    • 2

      South Korea court begins review of Yoon impeachment

      December 16, 2024
    • 3

      Musk’s new ultimatum spurs fresh confusion among US government workers

      February 26, 2025
    • 4

      Brazil prosecutor general decides not to charge Bolsonaro for vaccine records fraud

      March 28, 2025
    • 5

      An aide, a diplomat and a spy: Who is Putin sending to Turkey?

      May 15, 2025

    Categories

    • Business (305)
    • Politics (20)
    • Stocks (51)
    • World News (20)
    • About us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Disclaimer: EyesOpeners.com, its managers, its employees, and assigns (collectively “The Company”) do not make any guarantee or warranty about what is advertised above. Information provided by this website is for research purposes only and should not be considered as personalized financial advice. The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it receive compensation from, any specific security. The Company is not registered or licensed by any governing body in any jurisdiction to give investing advice or provide investment recommendation. Any investments recommended here should be taken into consideration only after consulting with your investment advisor and after reviewing the prospectus or financial statements of the company.

    Copyright © 2025 EyesOpeners.com | All Rights Reserved