The latest financial figures reveal that the Gambling Commission's costs related to the National Lottery have surged from £14.4m ($19.44m) to £28.8m within a year as the regulator is faced with rising legal costs.
After he failed to win the fourth Lottery Licence last year, tycoon Richard Desmond filed a lawsuit against the Gambling Commission claiming that the process was unfair and he was owed £1.3bn in damages.
Desmond, who has run the Daily Express, Channel 5 and previously a portfolio of adult magazines, claimed the scoring should have been more transparent after the licence was awarded to Allwyn.
The Gambling Commission initially offered £10m to settle the deal, but Desmond refused and insisted on going to court.
Since entering these legal troubles, litigation costs increased from £400,000 to £13.4m as the Gambling Commission prepares to go to court next month.
However, there are concerns about the ethics of this case, as the cost of running the National Lottery is deducted from the pot used to fund good causes and charity organisations across the UK.
If Desmond wins his court case, it's likely that the damages will also be drawn from the same pot.
{{QUOTE}We remain resolute that we have run a fair and robust competition, and that our evaluation has been carried out fairly and lawfully in accordance with our statutory duties{{/QUOTE} - Gambling Commission spokesperson
A judge previously ruled in June 2025 that Desmond would not have to cover the £15m costs required to maintain the lawsuit against the Gambling Commission
