UKGC Charges 15 With Cheating in 2024 Election Betting

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has charged 15 people with alleged breaches of the Gambling Act 2005, specifically in relation to the 2024 UK General Election. This includes four with direct ties to the Conservative Party.

The investigation focused on individuals suspected of using confidential information, specifically, advance knowledge of the proposed election date, to gain an unfair advantage in betting markets.

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called the UK general election for July 2024 at short notice. Given the Conservatives’ perilous position in the polls, most expected an election later in the year.

Strong Conservative Ties For Four Charged by UKGC

Among those charged are Craig Williams, former Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire and an aide to Sunak. Also charged were:

• Nick Mason, former Chief Data Officer for the Conservatives,
• Laura Saunders, former Conservative parliamentary candidate for Bristol North West,
• Anthony Lee, Saunders’ partner and former Director of Campaigning for the Conservatives,
• Russell George, Conservative Member of the Senedd. 

Under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, their alleged actions constitute a criminal offence of cheating. 

The others that face UKGC charges are:

• Simon Chatfield, 51
• Amy Hind, 34
• Anthony Hind
• Jeremy Hunt, 55 (not the former Chancellor) 
• Thomas James, 38
• Charlotte Lang, 36
• Iain Makepeace, 47
• Paul Place, 53
• James Ward, 40
• Jacob Willmer, 39

All those charged are due to appear at Westminister Magistrates Court at 10 am on Friday, 13 June 2025. 

The Conservative Party was made aware of potential betting breaches at the time, and Saunders and Williams were suspended from the party soon after such activity was publicized.

There was a flurry of media stories surrounding betting on the 2024 election, with Conservative Cabinet Minister Alister Jack proudly claiming he made over £2,000 betting on the election. Jack, however, claimed he had not breached any UKGC rules and that his bets did not relate to the period being investigated by the British regulator.

Gambling controversy was not limited to the Conservative Party, either. Keir Starmer was forced to suspend his own candidate, Kevin Craig, who bet against himself winning Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, prompting a separate investigation from the UKGC. 

Craig apologized then, stating: “I am deeply sorry to the many dedicated and loyal local Labour Party volunteers who have been supporting my campaign. I will comply fully with the investigation.”