Former Ladbrokes CEO Faces Court Over Bribery Accusations
Court Appearance of Ex-Ladbrokes CEO Kenny Alexander
Kenny Alexander, the former CEO of Ladbrokes, appeared in a London court on Monday alongside other former gambling industry executives. They are accused of involvement in bribery and fraud connected to the company’s operations in Turkey. These allegations could result in severe consequences, including up to 10 years in prison and heavy fines if proven guilty.
Details of the Legal Proceedings
Alexander, aged 56, led Entain (formerly known as GVC Holdings) from 2011 to 2018. He faces charges of conspiracy to bribe and conspiracy to defraud for activities conducted during his tenure. The UK Crown Prosecution Service brought charges against 11 individuals following a thorough investigation by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Alongside Alexander, several former GVC executives and individuals connected to payment processing and technology service providers have been charged. Among them are Lee Feldman, former chairman; Richard Cooper, former chief financial officer; James Humberstone, ex-trading director; and Scott Masterston, director of e-Technologies Global. Additionally, Robert Hoskin, former chief governance officer at Entain, is accused of attempting to obstruct justice earlier this year.
The case was moved to Southwark Crown Court after a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, with an initial substantive hearing set for November 3. Due to the complexity and scale of the case, it may later be transferred to Leeds Crown Court for trial proceedings.
Clarification on Entain’s Position
The allegations specifically pertain to GVC’s former business operations in Turkey through Headlong Limited, a company sold in 2017. At the time of the sale, GVC stated it had exited the Turkish market. However, investigations revealed possible misconduct involving payments to third-party suppliers and suspected bribery aimed at securing licenses and facilitating local operations.
Notably, Entain itself is not a defendant in this case. Earlier in 2023, the company agreed to a deferred prosecution deal with UK authorities, paying £585 million ($788.7 million) in penalties along with an additional £30 million ($40.45 million) for donations and legal expenses. This agreement resolved corporate liability for past activities, protecting the company from further prosecution but not shielding individuals implicated in the case.
While Alexander’s legal representative declined to comment on Monday, earlier statements indicated the former CEO plans a strong defense against the charges. With court hearings commencing in November, more details about the alleged misconduct tied to Entain’s operations in Turkey are expected to emerge in the months ahead.
