British Gambling Commission charges 15 people after probe into general election betting
A former Conservative MP is among those charged.
UK.- The Gambling Commission has announced charges against 15 people in the wake of its probe into alleged offences related to betting on the British general election last year.
The regulator began the investigation amid allegations that people with inside information, including members of the Conservative Party close to former prime minister Rishi Sunak had placed bets on the date of the general election before it was announced for July 4.
The Metropolitan Police closed its own investigation in August after concluding that evidence of incidents of political betting did not meet the threshold to prove misconduct in public office. However, the Gambling Commission continued with its own investigation as it believed that some people may have committed breaches of the Gambling Act through the use of confidential information to gain an unfair advantage in a bet.
Today’s list of those charged following the Gambling Commission’s election betting investigation includes Craig Williams the former Conservative MP and former parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak. Laura Saunders, the former Conservative candidate for Bristol North West, is also charged, along with former police officer Jeremy Hunt of Horley.
The charges all relate to Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2025. Those found guilty of breaching the legislation can face a fine of up to two years’ imprisonment. Those charged are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court at 10am on Friday June 13.
The full list of those charged is:
- Simon Chatfield, 51, (DOB: 19/03/1974), Lower Bourne, Farnham
- Russell George, 50, (DOB: 27/04/1974), Newtown, Wales
- Amy Hind, 34, (DOB: 13/07/1990), Loughton, Essex
- Anthony Hind, 36, (DOB: 12/09/1988), Loughton, Essex
- Jeremy Hunt, 55, (DOB: 08/04/1970), Horne, Horley
- Thomas James, 38, (DOB: 15/09/1986), Brecon, Wales
- Charlotte Lang, 36, (DOB: 15/02/1989), Brixton
- Anthony Lee, 47, (DOB: 24/04/1977), Bristol
- Iain Makepeace, 47, (DOB: 15/08/1977), Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Nick Mason, 51, (DOB: 03/10/1973), Milton on Stour, Gillingham
- Paul Place, 53, (DOB: 11/05/1971), Hammersmith, London
- Laura Saunders, 37, (DOB: 23/02/1988), Bristol
- James Ward, 40, (DOB: 12/08/1984), London
- Craig Williams, 39, (DOB: 07/06/1985), Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool
- Jacob Willmer, 39, (DOB: 06/07/1985), Richmond, London
The Gambling Commission said: “The Commission, as the independent regulator of gambling in Great Britain, is committed to protecting consumers and the public, ensuring confidence in the industry, and upholding high standards among licensees.
“Under Sections 27 and 28 of the Gambling Act, the Commission has the authority to investigate offences and bring criminal prosecutions where appropriate. The Commission is committed to upholding the law and will continue to take robust action against illegal betting practices, including investigating and prosecuting offences. The Gambling Commission cannot provide further details on ongoing criminal cases.”
Update on British gambling levy
The Gambling Commission has provided a full breakdown of the new British gambling levy rates that will be paid by operators in each vertical. All licensed gambling operators must pay the new levy, which came into effect as of April 6 as part of reforms announced in the 2023 Gambling White Paper.
The rate that licensees must pay will range from 0.1 per cent of gross gambling revenue (GGR) for remote and non-remote pool betting operations, gambling machine operations and family entertainment centres to 1.1 per cent for online gambling and betting, bingo and software licensees.
