Entain case: the British courts uphold the confidentiality of documents
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21 May 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes On 13 May 2025, the UK High Court granted Entain, the online betting giant and owner of Ladbrokes and Coral, permission to keep confidential its defence documents in a court case brought by its former directors, Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman. The decision prevents public access to Entain’s legal responses to allegations of corruption relating to its former Turkish subsidiary.
The documents in question, prepared by Addleshaw Goddard LLP, will remain sealed in accordance with the confidentiality order issued in April.
Background to the case
The case has its origins in an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) since 2019 into alleged corrupt activity at Entain’s former Turkish subsidiary, which was sold in 2017. In December 2023, Entain entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) with the Crown Prosecution Service, agreeing to pay a £585 million fine, a £20 million charitable donation and a £10 million contribution towards legal costs.
The case took an unexpected turn when its former directors, Kenny Alexander and Lee Feldman, took legal action. They accuse their former employer of breaching professional secrecy by disclosing confidential information about them during the investigation. They claim that the law firm Addleshaw Goddard, which was also advising them in a personal capacity, shared this information without their consent, thereby compromising their position in the case.
In their legal action, Alexander and Feldman are seeking official recognition of their status as clients of Addleshaw Goddard. Such recognition would allow them access to the legal advice provided by the firm to Entain, potentially strengthening their position in future litigation. They argue that crucial advice may have been withheld from them under the guise of confidentiality, raising questions about the management of sensitive information by Entain and its legal advisers.
Reactions and implications
The court’s decision is divisive. Some see it as a legitimate measure to protect sensitive information; others see it as an obstacle to transparency, particularly for former executives, who argue that access to the documents is essential for their defence and to reveal possible past governance failures.
While Entain continues to face legal challenges, including an investor class action led by Fox Williams, the company says it has strengthened its compliance and governance policies. Chairman Barry Gibson said the company had ‘fundamentally and profoundly changed’ since the events in question.
Nevertheless, the court ruling could affect public perception of Entain and further erode investor confidence amid continuing legal pressure.