Turkey-Linked Gambling Services Case: 2028 Trial Date Set for Kenny Alexander

A provisional trial date has been set for 14 February 2028 in the criminal proceedings against former GVC Holdings CEO Kenny Alexander, in a case centred on gambling and betting services provided in Turkey between 2011 and 2018. The case will be heard at Southwark Crown Court and is widely regarded as one of the most significant UK prosecutions in recent years involving overseas gambling operations.

The proceedings form part of a broader investigation by UK authorities into historic Turkey-linked operations and the corporate structures behind them.

Turkey at the Core of the Allegations

The UK Crown Prosecution Service authorised charges against 11 individuals following an investigation by HM Revenue & Customs. Prosecutors allege that the case relates to gambling services offered in Turkey during the 2011–2018 period.

Alongside Alexander, former GVC chairman Lee Feldman is among those charged. The prosecution focuses on how the Turkey-facing business was structured and managed, and whether aspects of those operations breached UK criminal law.

Scope of the Charges

According to prosecutors, the charges span multiple economic crime categories. They include:

• Bribery

• Conspiracy to defraud

• Fraudulent trading

• Cheating the public revenue

• Income tax evasion

• Acting as a company director while disqualified or bankrupt

• Perverting the course of justice

Authorities have stressed that the bringing of charges does not amount to a conviction, and that all defendants are entitled to a fair trial.

Proceedings Divided Into Three Trials

Due to the scale of the case and the volume of evidence, the court has divided the proceedings into three separate trial windows. The current timetable is structured as follows:

• First trial: Scheduled to begin on 14 February 2028, with an estimated duration of around four months.

• Second trial: Targeted for October 2028.

• Third trial: Scheduled to begin on 5 March 2029.

At a recent procedural hearing, the court postponed the formal arraignment stage, meaning pleas were not taken at that session.

Extensive Evidence and Long Timeline

One of the defining features of the case is the breadth of documentation and digital material involved. Defence representatives have highlighted the substantial volume of evidence, while the court has emphasised the need for careful case management. This complexity is seen as a key factor behind the lengthy timetable, with the first full trial not expected to begin until 2028.

Corporate Resolution: Entain and the Deferred Prosecution Agreement

The individual prosecutions are separate from earlier corporate proceedings involving Entain, the successor to GVC Holdings. In 2023, Entain entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with UK prosecutors in relation to historic Turkey-facing operations.

Under that agreement, the company agreed to pay hundreds of millions of pounds in financial penalties, disgorgement and associated costs. Prosecutors stated at the time that the alleged conduct underlying the agreement related primarily to activities in Turkey and concerned a failure to prevent bribery under UK law.

While the corporate matter was resolved through the DPA framework, the criminal cases against former executives and other individuals continue independently.

Why the Turkey Connection Matters

The prominence of Turkey-linked gambling services in the case underscores the reach of UK anti-bribery and economic crime legislation. Under UK law, companies and individuals can face liability for certain conduct connected to overseas operations.

As a result, the proceedings are being closely watched not only within the gambling sector but also by compliance professionals and multinational operators assessing cross-border regulatory risk.

Ongoing Proceedings

The case remains active, and no verdicts have been reached. Further procedural hearings are expected before the first trial begins in 2028.

For now, the prosecution of former executives in connection with Turkey-linked gambling operations is set to become a long-running fixture on the UK court calendar, with final determinations likely years away.