Richard Desmond accuses UKGC of unfair National Lottery handling Lawsuit could cost taxpayers more than £1.3 billion Allwyn’s win faces renewed legal and public scrutiny Ex-porn baron Richard Desmond wants £1.3 billion (US$1.58 billion) in damages from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) for what he claims was a botched competition to run the country’s National Lottery. If he’s successful, the sum would be paid by the British taxpayer. Billionaire media mogul Richard Desmond, above, is suing the UK Gambling Commission for £1.3 billion over the National Lottery contract dispute. (Image: Getty) The 73-year-old billionaire media mogul is upset about the UKGC’s decision to award one of the UK’s biggest public service contracts – worth an estimated £80 billion (US$92 billion) over 10 years – to Czech lottery giant Sazka, now Allwyn. Losing bidder Desmond founded OK! Magazine and owned The Daily Express newspaper and the UK’s Channel 5 TV station, as well as numerous pornographic titles like Asian Babes magazine. Through his company, Northern…Read MoreCategory: Legal, Lottery, Allwyn, National Lottery, Richard Desmond, UK Gambling Commission, UK lawsuitSource: Casino.org