UK Gambling Commission considering charges in election-betting scandal

By Charlie Dear

The Gambling Commission is reportedly considering charging up to five individuals, including that of a politician, in connection with allegations of insider betting on the 4 July general election. 

It all centres on whether confidential information was used to place bets before former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s shock 22 May announcement of an early election.

The scandal came to light in June when former MP Craig Williams admitted he was under investigation for placing a £100 wager on a July election date.

Crucially to this story, Williams, former MP for Montgomeryshire, who served as Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, placed the bet just days before the announcement. The potential returns yielding a £500 return based on available odds

The investigation has since expanded to notable figures in Sunak’s office including his former chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith and former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Oliver Dowden, who have since been interviewed as witnesses by the UKGC.

In late August, the Metropolitan Police announced that they had concluded their role in the ongoing criminal investigation, though the Gambling Commission's investigation continued.

The commission's investigation is into whether bets placed were in breach of Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 (cheating). The Met had been looking into whether other offences, most likely misconduct in public office, could apply.

Making the announcement, detective superintendent Katherine Goodwin said: "These allegations caused a significant dent in public confidence during the election campaign and it was right that they were investigated to explore all possible offences.

"While our involvement in the criminal investigation now ceases, it's important that is not misinterpreted as an all clear for those whose cases were looked at.

"There are still Gambling Act offences to consider and it is appropriate that they are taken forward by investigators from the Gambling Commission who have particular expertise in this field.

"Seven police officers who are alleged to have placed bets are still among those being investigated by the Gambling Commission. They also remain under investigation by the Met's Directorate of Professional Standards."