Richard Desmond loses £1.3bn damages battle over national lottery licence

Media tycoon vows to appeal after dismissal of action against Gambling Commission for awarding Allwyn the franchise

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The media tycoon Richard Desmond has vowed to appeal after a resounding defeat in his claim for up to £1.3bn in damages from the Gambling Commission over its decision not to award him the 10-year licence to run the national lottery.

Mrs Justice Smith dismissed Desmond’s claim on Friday, in a sometimes scathing written high court judgment that reserved particular criticism for “inexcusable” failings on the part of Desmond’s legal team.