Court Allows Partial Secrecy for Ex-Entain Executives

A London judge has imposed reporting restrictions on parts of a previous judgment involving former gambling executives Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman, allowing most of the decision to be published while shielding certain findings that might impact a future criminal trial. Until then, the public will see only part of the civil judgment.

Alexander and Feldman Secured Some Breathing Room

The ruling follows the duo’s failed privacy claim against the UK Gambling Commission. They argued that the regulator had breached their privacy when reviewing the license of gambling operator 888. Justice Eady dismissed their challenge in January, ruling that the regulator had not unlawfully interfered with the executives’ privacy. The court also refused permission to appeal.

However, a new decision issued this week focused on whether the court’s full reasoning behind that judgment should be made publicly available. Alexander and Feldman had sought to prevent publication altogether, arguing that details contained in the ruling could prejudice jurors in a criminal trial scheduled for 2028. 

While the judge denied the request for complete suppression, she imposed a narrower reporting restriction order that temporarily blocks publication of 10 particular findings described as “seriously adverse” to the claimants. The content of those findings will remain confidential until the criminal proceedings’ conclusion. The January judgment will still be made public, but in redacted form, with the contested findings removed.

The Main Court Battle Will Come in 2028

According to a recent Next.io report, Justice Eady said the court had to balance the right to open justice against the need to protect the integrity of a future jury trial. She noted that removing the disputed findings struck a fair balance, contending that suppressing the entire judgment would undermine the principle that court decisions should generally be visible to the public.

The disagreement originated from Alexander and Feldman’s failed attempt to gain control over 888 Holdings. The deal collapsed after the regulator warned the company that such a move could trigger a review of its license because of concerns linked to the two men’s past roles at Entain and GVC Holdings. At the time, Entain was already under investigation by HM Revenue and Customs over alleged bribery tied to its former Turkish operations.

Alexander and Feldman are among 11 individuals facing charges connected to the long-running probe. Since Entain is not among the defendants, it is shielded from additional prosecution. However, individuals implicated in the investigation are not so fortunate. Until the criminal trial launches in 2028, the most damaging findings against Alexander and Feldman will remain sealed.