Summary
Richard Desmond, a media businessman, lost his legal claim seeking up to £1.3 billion in damages after the Gambling Commission decided not to give him the national lottery license. The court found no major mistakes in the lottery awarding process, confirming that the decision was lawful.
Key Facts
- Richard Desmond wanted the national lottery licence for 10 years but was not awarded it.
- He claimed the Gambling Commission made serious errors and sought damages up to £1.3 billion.
- Desmond’s companies started legal action against the commission in 2022.
- The lottery license, worth £6.5 billion, was given to Allwyn, owned by Czech billionaire Karel Komárek.
- The court ruled that no errors were made and the competition result was fair.
- Desmond rejected a £10 million settlement offer linked to the case.
- He also failed in a previous legal claim about Allwyn receiving a £70 million marketing subsidy.
- The damages he sought would likely have come from lottery funds meant for good causes.
