Richard Desmond

Richard Desmond, a media tycoon formerly known as the proprietor of the Daily Express and Channel 5, has recently been in the news for losing a significant legal battle. Companies associated with Desmond initiated a claim for up to £1.3 billion in damages against the Gambling Commission. This legal action stemmed from the regulator's decision in 2022 not to award Desmond's companies a 10-year licence to operate the national lottery. The dispute has been described as a bitter and tortuous legal process. The outcome of this case represents a major setback for Desmond's business interests in the gambling sector, concluding a prolonged and high-stakes dispute with the regulatory body.