Flurry of flutters sparks scandal in British election
LONDON—British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood outside 10 Downing Street on May 22 and called a surprise general election to be held on July 4. Just days earlier, one of his aides, fellow lawmaker Craig Williams, placed a £100 bet that an election would take place in July. “I should have thought through how it looks," Williams said when the move became public.
He wasn’t the only one. Around 15 Conservative Party officials are also being probed by the gambling regulator for placing a “flutter" on the election date, as a small bet is known in Britain. Sunak’s personal protection officer, assigned by the Metropolitan Police, was arrested and later made bail for allegedly betting on the date.
A few days later, the Met said at least seven other police officers were under investigation for the same thing. In the U.S., gambling on elections is prohibited by many states, including Nevada. But British punters can bet on pretty much whatever they want, as long as someone will take the other side of the bet.
Over the years that has included snail racing, the gender of yet to be born royal babies and of course, the weather. William Kedjanyi, a bookmaker at Star Sports Bookmakers in London, said several clients have been asking: Could he give odds on whether the police would press criminal charges over the political betting scandal? Professional soccer players in Britain aren’t allowed to bet on soccer. Nor can registered jockeys bet on horses.
But politicians can bet on politics, as long as they don’t cheat by using insider information. That’s raising awkward questions about whether it’s really OK for elected officials to try to cash in. Since the scandal broke in June, barely a day has passed without some politician sheepishly
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