The United Kingdom’s Gambling Commission has formally charged 15 individuals with offences under the Gambling Act 2005, following an investigation into suspected cheating connected to bets on the timing of the 2024 General Election.
The investigation, launched in June 2024, centered on allegations that certain individuals used confidential information, specifically, advanced knowledge of the proposed election date, to secure an unfair advantage in the betting markets. This kind of conduct is considered cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, and it constitutes a criminal offence.
Among those charged is the former prime minister Rishi Sunak’s closest parliamentary aide. Craig Williams has been under investigation by the Gambling Commission since June, after he admitted to placing a £100 bet on May 19, 2024, predicting that the election would be held in July.
Sunak announced that the general election would take place on 4 July, just three days after Williams, who was also standing as a candidate, placed his £100 bet.
The Gambling Commission has today charged 15 people over alleged cheating related to bets on the 2024 General Election.
Read the full statement 💻 https://t.co/OypC0kVsMf pic.twitter.com/d7cdfVaHF6
— Gambling Commission (@GamRegGB) April 14, 2025
Williams was dropped as a candidate, said last June that he “committed a serious error of judgement, not an offense.”
Gambling Commission names people charged with General Election betting offenses
The list reportedly includes the Conservative Party’s Chief Data Officer, Nick Mason. Among those also facing charges are Laura Saunders, who was removed as a Conservative election candidate during an internal probe into alleged bets on the timing of the general election, and her husband, Tony Lee, the party’s former director of campaigning.
Those charged are:
- Simon Chatfield
- Russell George
- Amy Hind
- Anthony Hind
- Jeremy Hunt: former police officer
- Thomas James
- Charlotte Lang
- Anthony Lee
- Iain Makepeace
- Nick Mason
- Paul Place
- Laura Saunders
- James Ward
- Craig Williams
- Jacob Willmer
They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday 13 June, 2025.
The commission has highlighted its role as the independent regulator of gambling in Great Britain, saying it’s committed to protecting the public, maintaining confidence in the industry, and holding licensees to high standards.
It also pointed out that under Sections 27 and 28 of the Gambling Act, it has the power to investigate offences and pursue criminal prosecutions where necessary. The commission made clear it will continue to take firm action against illegal betting activity, including thorough investigations and prosecutions when the law is broken.
In August last year, ReadWrite reported that British police had wrapped up their investigation into a series of suspicious bets linked to the timing of the general election. According to the Metropolitan Police, which has jurisdiction across Greater London, the alleged offences didn’t meet the “high bar” required to prove misconduct in public office.
More details to follow.
Featured image: Canva
