Gambling tycoon accuses Labour peer of ‘stitch-up’ over failed 888 deal

Core Viewpoint - Kenny Alexander, a betting tycoon, alleges collusion between Lord Mendelsohn and the Gambling Commission to thwart his takeover of casino operator 888, claiming he was a victim of a "stitch up" [1][7] Group 1: Background of the Case - Kenny Alexander, known as "King Kenny," acquired a 6.5% stake in 888 and aimed to become its chief executive to facilitate a turnaround [3] - The lawsuit involves claims that Lord Mendelsohn, the former chairman of 888, conspired with the Gambling Commission to undermine Alexander's takeover efforts through FS Gaming in 2023 [2] Group 2: Legal Proceedings and Allegations - Alexander and Lee Feldman, former deputy at Entain, are involved in a High Court battle against the Gambling Commission, alleging the regulator improperly disclosed confidential information to sabotage their takeover [2] - The High Court proceedings revealed that negotiations between Alexander and Mendelsohn began positively but deteriorated after Mendelsohn raised concerns about a potential criminal investigation involving Alexander [5] Group 3: Regulatory Context - The Gambling Commission has raised issues regarding Alexander's approach to 888, particularly in light of an ongoing bribery investigation at Entain, which resulted in a £615 million fine [6] - Alexander contends that Mendelsohn's inquiries were influenced by Andrew Rhodes, the chief executive of the Gambling Commission, who was aware of the investigations into Alexander [5] Group 4: Current Status - Both Alexander and Feldman are facing a separate criminal trial related to bribery allegations, which they deny [4] - Alexander expressed confidence that he would not face charges regarding the alleged bribery at Entain, yet he now claims collusion between Mendelsohn and the Gambling Commission led to the failure of his deal [6][7]