Media mogul Richard Desmond has launched the third legal challenge against the gambling watchdog’s decision to award the National Lottery to Czech operator Allwyn.

Desmond’s Northern & Shell and a subsidiary, the New Lottery Company, have taken legal action against the Gambling Commission, according to a high court filing dated April 13 – becoming the third party to challenge the award.

The former owner of the Express and Star newspapers had tabled a bid for the contract alongside the current lottery operator Camelot and gambling tech business IGT.

But a month ago the Gambling Commission gave the contract to Allwyn Entertainment, putting an end to 27 years of unbroken operation by Camelot.