Gambling Commission charges 15 in election betting investigation
Included in the list of those charged in the Gambling Commission’s election betting case is former Conservative MP and former PM Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams of Llanfair Caereinion, Welshpool and Conservative candidate for Bristol North West Laura Saunders, both of whom were named in the Gambling Commission’s initial investigation.
The case was launched in June after a number of cases of insider betting on the election date were reported. A police officer, who had been working as part of the prime minister’s protection team, was arrested over allegedly betting on the general election date.
Who’s been charged in the election betting case?
Also facing charges for cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 are:
- Simon Chatfield, 51, (DOB: 19/03/1974), Lower Bourne, Farnham, GU10
- Russell George, 50, (DOB: 27/04/1974), Newtown, Wales, SY16
- Amy Hind, 34, (DOB: 13/07/1990), Loughton, Essex, IG10
- Anthony Hind, 36, (DOB: 12/09/1988), Loughton, Essex, IG10
- Jeremy Hunt, 55, (DOB: 08/04/1970), Horne, Horley, RH6, (former Police Officer)
- Thomas James, 38, (DOB: 15/09/1986), Brecon, Wales, LD3
- Charlotte Lang, 36, (DOB: 15/02/1989), Brixton, SW9
- Anthony Lee, 47, (DOB: 24/04/1977), Bristol, BS1
- Iain Makepeace, 47, (DOB: 15/08/1977), Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16
- Nick Mason, 51, (DOB: 03/10/1973), Milton on Stour, Gillingham, SP8
- Paul Place, 53, (DOB: 11/05/1971), Hammersmith, London, W6
- James Ward, 40, (DOB: 12/08/1984), London, E11
- Jacob Willmer, 39, (DOB: 06/07/1985), Richmond, London, TW9
Those charged are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court at 10am on Friday 13 June 2025.
Anyone found guilty of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act may be fined or imprisoned for two years if convicted in a criminal court. As the case has been filed in a magistrate’s court, the sentence could instead be up to six months imprisonment or a fine.
The Gambling Commission previously told iGB in June it was looking into several election betting offences but declined to comment on specific cases.
“The Gambling Commission regulates gambling in the interests of consumers and the wider public,” a Commission spokesperson said. “Currently the Commission is investigating the possibility of offences concerning the date of the election.
“If someone used confidential information in order to gain an unfair advantage when betting, that may constitute an offence of cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, which is a criminal offence,” the Commission told iGB.
Met Police election betting investigation closed in August
A separate Met Police probe into insider election betting closed in August. The Met investigation also followed reports of up to seven police officers. These had also been accused of betting on the date of the election, while allegedly having insider information.
The force was tasked with looking at bets suspected of not only breaking the Gambling Act’s rules on cheating, but also misconduct in a public office.
Only a small number of the cases were considered to amount to potential misconduct. The Met’s Specialist Crime Command assessed available evidence and took advice from the CPS.
Although no one was charged under the Met’s election betting investigation, the force said in a statement there was still scope for criminal charges to be brought forward by the Gambling Commission.