High Court rules Gambling Commission in clear over lottery claims
The UK Gambling Commission has secured a major courtroom victory after the High Court dismissed all claims brought against it over the awarding of the Fourth National Lottery Licence to Allwyn.
The legal action was launched in 2022 by Northern & Shell PLC and The New Lottery Company Limited, companies linked to media tycoon Richard Desmond, who had sought up to £1.3 billion in damages after losing the bid to run the UK National Lottery.
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Desmond’s companies alleged the Gambling Commission made “manifest errors” during the licence process and wrongly awarded the lucrative 10-year contract, estimated to be worth £6.5 billion, to Allwyn instead.
However, Mrs Justice Joanna Smith rejected all claims in a strongly worded judgment, reportedly criticising aspects of the claimants’ legal conduct as “inexcusable”.
Allwyn, backed by Czech billionaire Karel Komárek, won the licence in 2022 and officially took over operation of the National Lottery in 2024.
Following the ruling, Desmond vowed to appeal the decision, extending a legal battle that has reportedly cost tens of millions of pounds.
The Gambling Commission said the judgment confirmed the licence competition had been conducted fairly and robustly, allowing Allwyn to continue investment plans for the National Lottery without further disruption.
Since launching in 1994, the National Lottery has raised more than £52 billion for community, sport, heritage and arts projects across the United Kingdom.
