TLDR
- Craig Williams and Amy Hind pleaded guilty to cheating offences tied to the 2024 UK general election betting scandal.
- Williams was a former parliamentary private secretary to Rishi Sunak; Hind is married to a Conservative digital director.
- Both placed bets on the election date before Sunak’s public announcement, using access to confidential information.
- Williams and Hind could face up to two years in prison or a fine.
- Twelve other defendants will face trial in September 2027 and January 2028.
Two people connected to the UK’s election betting scandal have pleaded guilty to cheating. The Gambling Commission confirmed the news on Monday.
Craig Williams and Amy Hind admitted to offences under the Gambling Act 2005. Both entered guilty pleas at the same hearing.
Williams served as parliamentary private secretary to former prime minister Rishi Sunak. He was also the MP for Montgomeryshire from December 2019 until May 2024.
Hind is married to Anthony Hind, who worked as a Conservative deputy digital director. She worked as a business support manager for the NHS at the time.
What the Bets Involved
Both defendants placed bets on the date of the 2024 general election. They did this in May 2024, shortly before Sunak announced the vote would happen in July.
Williams placed a £100 bet through the Ladbrokes betting app. He bet that the election would take place in July.
The betting operator flagged this activity. Williams was listed as a politically exposed person, which requires extra checks from gambling companies before allowing bets.
These checks can include limits on how much a flagged person is allowed to wager. The flag led to the case being reported.
Access to Confidential Information
The Gambling Commission said both defendants had access to sensitive information before placing their bets. Williams reportedly attended meetings with the prime minister and senior Conservative staff where the election date was discussed.
The regulator stated that instead of keeping the information private, Williams used it to try to profit. Hind received similar information through her husband, who worked for the Conservative Party at the time.
Both defendants pleaded guilty to cheating, which falls under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005. The maximum penalty for this offence is two years in prison or a fine.
A sentencing date has not yet been set. Williams and Hind will appear at Southwark Crown Court when that date is confirmed.
The Other Defendants
Fifteen people total were charged as part of the Gambling Commission’s investigation. Williams and Hind are the first two to plead guilty.
The remaining twelve people will face trial in two separate groups. The first trial is scheduled for September 2027, and the second is set for January 2028.
The defendants awaiting trial include Simon Chatfield, Russell George, Anthony Hind, and Jeremy Hunt, a former police officer. Other names include Thomas James, Charlotte Lang, Anthony Lee, and Iain Makepeace.
Also named are Nick Mason, Paul Place, James Ward, and Jacob Willmer. None of these defendants have entered pleas yet.
The case stems from widespread betting activity tied to the surprise timing of the 2024 general election. The Gambling Commission’s investigation began after multiple betting operators flagged unusual wagers.
