Try GOLD - Free
Risk for taxpayer as Desmond begins high court lottery case
The Guardian
|October 06, 2025
The media billionaire Richard Desmond will begin a bitter courtroom battle with the Gambling Commission this week that could cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds in a row over the licence to run the National Lottery.
Northern & Shell and The New Lottery Company (TNLC), owned by Desmond, are suing the gambling regulator for up to £1.3bn, alleging “manifest errors” in the competition process for Britain’s largest public sector contract, the lottery licence.
Allwyn, a new vehicle ultimately owned by the Czech billionaire Karel Komárek, won the 10-year licence in 2022 and has run the draw since 2024, the first time in the lottery’s 30-year history that it had been run by a company other than Camelot.
Dubai-based Desmond - the former proprietor of titles including the Daily Express, Asian Babes and Readers' Wives - has since launched a series of legal challenges linked to the decision. Sources close to Desmond said he felt he was needlessly strung along, wasting millions on a bid process that was predetermined.
This story is from the October 06, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Celebrations after Hamas and Israel agree first phase of deal
Trump says final hostages could be free by 'Monday or Tuesday', Palestinians call for US to guarantee permanent end to war
5 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
French court adds a year to sentence after appeal by Pelicot rapist fails
A man has been found guilty on appeal of raping Gisèle Pelicot after she was drugged unconscious by her husband - and has had his prison sentence increased to 10 years.
3 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
Millions face higher water bills after regulator lets firms increase charges
Jasper Jolly Helena Horton
3 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
'The hardest photos I ever had to take'
Two years of horror, destruction - and human connection
3 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
Beyond the crisis talk Liverpool go to work and Jota is not there. Why would that not affect them?
A couple of weeks ago, Liverpool were on course to win the Premier League for the second season running and probably the Champions League too.
4 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
Theatre review Sarandon shines in a slippery study of self
If there is something familiar about a play comprising disparate scenes from one woman's life, performed by five different actors, that is because it was the central conceit of Annie Ernaux's book The Years, adapted for stage last year.
2 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
'For now, fear remains' Palestinians wait to see whether Gaza plan delivers peace
Yesterday morning, there was little joy in Gaza.
3 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
Art review Heady mix in which art gets into your head like music
A giant sound system towers against green mountains in Peter Doig's painting Maracas, while a tiny man stands on a speaker-stack to reveal the monstrous scale.
3 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
Ex-Radio 1 DJ charged with four counts of rape
The former Radio 1 DJ Tim Westwood has been charged with sexual offences against seven women, including four counts of rape.
2 mins
October 10, 2025
The Guardian
England off to a flyer Watkins on target as early goals stun Wales
Spurs’ 100m cash boost arrives with more to come’
1 mins
October 10, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size