Fifteen Charged Over UK Election Date Betting Case Including Conservative Party Figures

The UK Gambling Commission has charged 15 individuals with offences under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005, following an investigation into betting on the timing of the UK’s general election. The charges relate to bets allegedly placed before former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak publicly announced the July 2024 election date.

Good to know

• The charges follow an investigation into betting on the general election date before it was announced.
• Rishi Sunak’s former parliamentary private secretary Craig Williams is among those charged.
• Conviction under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 could lead to prison or a fine.

Among those named are Craig Williams, a former Conservative MP and Rishi Sunak’s parliamentary private secretary, and Laura Saunders, the Conservative candidate for Bristol North West. Their names appeared early in the Gambling Commission’s investigation when reports surfaced of suspicious bets placed ahead of the official election announcement.

The case also involves a former police officer who worked on the prime minister’s protection team. The officer was arrested in June 2024 for allegedly placing bets using non-public information.

The full list of individuals now charged includes:

• Simon Chatfield (51), Farnham, GU10
• Russell George (50), Newtown, SY16
• Amy Hind (34) and Anthony Hind (36), Loughton, IG10
• Jeremy Hunt (55), Horley, RH6 (former police officer)
• Thomas James (38), Brecon, LD3
• Charlotte Lang (36), Brixton, SW9
• Anthony Lee (47), Bristol, BS1
• Iain Makepeace (47), Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE16
• Nick Mason (51), Gillingham, SP8
• Paul Place (53), Hammersmith, W6
• James Ward (40), London, E11
• Jacob Willmer (39), Richmond, TW9

All 15 defendants are scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates Court on Friday, 13 June 2025 at 10 a.m.

The Gambling Commission opened the investigation in June 2024 after receiving reports that individuals with advance knowledge of the election had placed bets on its date, potentially breaching gambling laws.

Under Section 42 of the Gambling Act, cheating includes using inside information to place or influence bets. Those found guilty in a criminal court can face up to two years in prison or a fine. However, as this case is being heard in a magistrates’ court, the penalties could be limited to six months imprisonment or a fine.