Gambling Commission Expands Investigation into Election Betting Breaches
The UK Gambling Commission’s ongoing investigation into potential election-related betting violations has widened, now involving senior Conservative Party officials, including Sir Oliver Dowden, a close ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. The inquiry seeks to determine whether individuals placed bets based on insider knowledge of the July 2024 general election date.
Inquiry Focuses on Insider Betting Allegations
Launched in June 2024, the investigation is examining whether bets were placed on the timing of the general election by those with prior information, potentially breaching UK gambling regulations.
The Commission, responsible for overseeing fair practices within the UK betting industry, is scrutinizing several key figures for possible violations.
Sir Oliver Dowden, the former Deputy Prime Minister, was interviewed by the Commission as a witness, not as a subject of the investigation.
His interview took place earlier in the summer, with officials seeking to clarify the sequence of events leading up to the election date announcement.
Other Conservative Officials Under Scrutiny
Other notable figures, including Craig Williams, former parliamentary aide to Rishi Sunak, and Liam Booth-Smith, former Downing Street chief of staff, have also been questioned.
Williams admitted to placing a £100 bet on the July election just days before Prime Minister Sunak officially announced the election on 22 May.
Williams has since acknowledged that his actions were a mistake and fully cooperated with the investigation.
However, his candidacy as the Conservative Party candidate in his constituency was subsequently withdrawn.
Investigation Gathers Momentum
As the probe continues, the Gambling Commission has seized hundreds of documents from the Conservative Campaign Headquarters (CCHQ) and enlisted the help of former police officers to assist with the inquiry.
The investigation is expected to last for several more months, with numerous interviews planned involving individuals both inside and outside CCHQ.
UK Gambling Industry Sees Growth Amid Controversy
Despite concerns raised by the election betting inquiry, the UK’s gambling sector continues to grow, particularly in the online betting space.
In August 2024, the Gambling Commission released data showing a 12% year-on-year increase in Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) for the first quarter of 2024-2025, with the sector reaching £1.46 billion.
