UK: Tory business minister bets on party win; MP gambles £8,000 on seat loss

Business Minister Kevin Hollinrake disclosed to media outlets that he had placed a wager "some months ago" on his party to secure a legislative majority. When asked if he had placed a bet on the Tory win, Hollinrake responded, "Yes, I did. Not my seat, I think that would be wrong."

“We should have a proper debate about and decide whether it’s right or wrong that people have a bet on things they are involved in," said Hollinrake, who isseeking re-election in Thirsk and Malton.

Hollinrake put his wager believing the odds were 9:1. "You may think that's foolhardy," he said on LBC.

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“Victory is always possible if you don’t stop fighting,” he added.

Hollinrake said, “Anybody who has broken the rules will be booted out of the Conservative party … the prime minister believes in process, as I do,” when asked whether there were any other Conservatives who may have broken the rules.

A gambling controversy has cast a cloud over the election campaign after it was discovered that Tory candidate Craig Williams, who was a close parliamentary aide to Rishi Sunak, placed a wager on a July election three days before its announcement.

The Gambling Commission has opened an inquiry into Williams. It is a potential crime to utilise insider knowledge to acquire an unfair advantage while placing a wager.

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Since then, the gambling watchdog has examined another Tory candidate, two senior party officials, six police officers, and a Tory member of the Welsh parliament for betting on the election date. In addition, a Labour candidate is under investigation for betting against himself in his seat.

According to a report published in The Sun on Wednesday, Philip Davies, the Tory candidate, placed a£8,000 wager on losing his marginal seat of Shipley during the election.

The newspaper was informed by Sir Philip, a Tory MP representing Shipley since 2005, that he expected to lose his seat on July 4. He is standing for the West Yorkshire seat, defending a 6,242 majority.

(With inputs from agencies)