Published on: January 20, 2026, 06:55h.
Updated on: January 20, 2026, 06:55h.
Two former executives from Entain are currently facing bribery, fraud, and tax allegations in the UK and have lost a separate civil lawsuit against the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC).
Former CEO Kenny Alexander, known as “King,” along with ex-chairman Lee Feldman, faced formal charges from UK prosecutors in August 2025 for alleged misconduct linked to Entain’s historic operations in black markets in Türkiye, when it functioned as GVC Holdings.
In the ten months preceding their charges, they filed a lawsuit against the UKGC, asserting that the agency violated their privacy rights by obstructing their attempt to take control of 888 Holdings, currently known as Evoke Plc.
888 Acquisition Collapses
After leaving Entain, Alexander and Feldman took a 6.5% stake in 888 through an entity named FS Gaming, intending to lead the company.
However, 888 stopped the acquisition talks following a warning from the UKGC that a license review would be triggered due to the ongoing investigation by HMRC concerning the former Turkish division of Entain, Headlong. At that time, 888 was unaware of the investigation.
The HMRC investigation into Headlong’s third-party suppliers initiated in November 2019. By July 2020, this inquiry had broadened to include the subsidiary under the UK Bribery Act, examining whether GVC/Entain had neglected to curb corrupt activities within Headlong’s operations. Eleven additional individuals are facing offensive charges tied to this matter.
$790 Million Settlement
A Deferred Prosecution Agreement ratified in 2023 revealed that bribery and illicit payment schemes were uncovered in relation to Headlong’s operations linked to Sportingbet in Turkey.
This case concluded with Entain agreeing to pay over £585 million ($790 million) in fines and settlements, marking one of the most substantial corporate penalties in UK history.
On Monday, High Court judge Mrs. Justice Eady ruled that the actions of the UKGC did not infringe upon Alexander’s and Feldman’s privacy rights. However, she issued a temporary order preventing the publication of her reasoning and mandated that the plaintiffs cover the regulator’s legal fees.
‘King’ Kenny’s Rise
Alexander held the CEO position at Entain from 2007 to 2020, during which he transformed the organization from a modest AIM-listed company into a major player on the FTSE 100, becoming one of the preeminent global gambling enterprises.
At its zenith, Headlong was responsible for approximately one-third of Entain’s total revenue, operating through unspecified cash-collection systems and payment facilitators designed to obscure dealings from Turkish financial authorities. Prosecutors later contended that this business engaged in bribery of Turkish officials to avoid regulatory scrutiny.
Entain offloaded Headlong at no cost in December 2017, in advance of its intended acquisition of Ladbrokes Coral.
Alexander and Feldman have expressed their intent to challenge the ruling.