The UK Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has brought charges against former GVC Holdings CEO Kenny Alexander and ten others following a multi-year investigation into alleged bribery and fraud linked to the company’s Turkish operations between 2011 and 2018.

GVC, which rebranded as Entain plc in 2020, is one of the gambling sector’s largest international operators, with a portfolio including Ladbrokes, Coral, bwin, and partypoker.

Senior Executives Named in Charges

The case involves several former GVC executives. Alongside Alexander, the CPS has charged:

  • Lee Feldman, former chairman

  • Richard Cooper, former CFO

  • James Humberstone, former trading director

  • Scott Masterston, former director at e-Technologies Global

Former Entain Chief Governance Officer Robert Hoskin has been charged with perverting the course of justice.

Authorities have also charged individuals linked to external suppliers Conexus, Inteliqo, and Ilixium, which handled payment processing and related services for GVC. Allegations include illicit business practices, tax evasion, and the unlawful management of insolvent companies.

All defendants are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 6 October.

HMRC and CPS: A Joint International Probe

The charges are the result of a long-running joint investigation between HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and the CPS, described by officials as a “complex international probe.” Richard Las, director of HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, said the case encompasses “serious offenses including fraud, bribery, tax evasion and attempts to obstruct justice.”

Entain as a corporate entity is not part of this latest prosecution. In 2023, the operator entered into a £585 million deferred prosecution agreement (DPA) with UK authorities, alongside a further £30 million to cover charitable contributions and legal fees. The DPA drew a line under the company’s historic Turkish activities but left open the possibility of action against individuals.

Implications for Entain and the Wider Industry

The case centres on GVC’s now-sold Turkish subsidiary Headlong Limited, divested in 2017. While Entain has since repositioned itself as a strictly regulated operator with a focus on compliance and governance, the continued fallout underscores the long-term risks of operating in grey markets.

The proceedings also come during a period of heightened scrutiny of Entain’s leadership and governance, with shareholders voicing concern over strategy and a series of legal disputes involving former executives. Both Alexander and Feldman have previously accused the company and its legal advisers of improperly sharing confidential information with investigators.

What Comes Next

If convicted, the former executives and associates could face up to 10 years’ imprisonment and unlimited fines. The trial is likely to attract close attention from regulators, investors, and competing operators, given the high profile of those involved and the ongoing emphasis on corporate governance and compliance standards across the gambling sector.