Gambling watchdog widens betting inquiry by examining ‘suspicious bets’ dossier

The Gambling Commission’s investigation into betting on the timing of the general election by members of the Conservative Party has been widened to examine “hundreds” of suspicious bets, it is claimed.

Several UK betting companies have passed on a dossier of suspicious bets to the gambling watchdog, according The Times.

The watchdog’s investigators will now reportedly shift through the data, which contains all bets on a July election that stood to win more than £199, in a bid to find any links to Tory party members.

This could include bets by Conservative party employees themselves, or by their family members. Investigators are also looking through the social media profiles of those under suspicion for potential clues.

It comes after it was revealed earlier today that a Conservative official is being investigated by the commission over allegations that he placed dozens of bets on the timing of the election before its announcement.

Nick Mason, the Conservatives’ chief data officer, is the fourth person in the party to be named as part of the investigation and denies any wrongdoing. The Conservative Party has confirmed he has taken a leave of absence from his duties.

Others being probed include Craig Williams, a private secretary to Rishi Sunak and a Tory candidate in Montgomeryshire, plus Laura Saunders, a candidate for Bristol North West, and her husband Tony Lee, director of campaigning at the party.

A police officer who is part of Mr Sunak’s close security team is also being probed over alleged bets on the timing of the general election and was arrested earlier this week.

On Sunday, Home Secretary James Cleverly told Sky News: he was not going to “defend people” who placed bets on the election, adding: “There is an investigation by the Gambling Commission and we have been told very, very clearly that we are not to discuss the investigations.”

Mr Sunak has also personally commented on the investigation, saying he was “incredibly angry” over the allegations, adding that he would ensure that anyone who is found to have broken the rules will be “booted out of the Conservative Party.”

It is a criminal offence in the UK to cheat at gambling or enable or assist another to do so, as per Section 42 of the 2005 Gambling Act.

The offence carries a maximum penalty of up to two years in prison.

The Gambling Commission and the Conservative Party have been contacted by i for comment over reports the investigation is being widened.