UK Charges 11 Former GVC Execs Over Turkey Gambling Bribery

Eleven former executives of GVC Holdings, now known as Entain, including ex-CEO Kenny Alexander, have been charged by England and Wales’ Crown Prosecution Service with serious offences such as conspiracy to defraud, conspiracy to bribe, fraudulent trading, and evasion of income tax related to GVC's gambling operations in Turkey between 2011 and 2018. The charges come after Entain agreed to a £585-615 million deferred prosecution agreement with the CPS in 2023, which covered the company but not the individuals. The investigation, described as complex and international by HM Revenue and Customs, also includes charges against other senior executives like Lee Feldman, Richard Cooper, and James Humberstone. Additionally, Robert Hoskin, Entain’s former chief governance officer, faces charges of perverting the course of justice. The defendants are scheduled to appear in London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court and have the right to a fair trial, with CPS emphasizing the importance of avoiding prejudicial reporting. This case highlights ongoing efforts by British authorities to address financial crimes within the global gambling industry.