High Court dismisses £1bn procurement claim brought against the Gambling Commission
22nd April 2026
39 Essex Chambers barristers Rose Grogan KC and Monty Fynn acted as part of the Counsel team for the Gambling Commission in the claim brought by the Northern & Shell plc and The New Lottery Company Limited (TNLC) challenging the Gambling Commission’s procurement of the 4th UK National Lottery Licence and modifications made to the Licence following its award to Allwyn in 2022.
The claim for damages exceeding £1 billion was dismissed in full. Mrs Justice Joanna Smith held that the Commission had run a lawful and fair procurement process and had not made any ‘manifest errors’ in evaluating bids.
Rose Grogan KC and Monty Fynn were instructed by Hogan Lovells.
The judgment can be read here: https://caselaw.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ewhc/tcc/2026/891
