Southwark Crown Court in London sentenced Anthony Lee, his wife Laura Lee and Amy Hind to suspended sentences on 23 October for betting fraud under section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005. All three used confidential information about the date of the UK general election, the Gambling Commission (UKGC) said.
Anthony Lee led the Conservative Party's campaign operations. Laura Lee, née Saunders, handled the party's international work and stood for it in Bristol North West. According to the UKGC, Anthony Lee bet on the election date while aware of closed discussions at party headquarters and passed the information to his wife. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the date, 4 July 2024, only on 22 May.
Anthony Lee received about 10 months, Laura Lee about 4 and Amy Hind 6 months. All sentences are suspended, with a 12-month probation period. The court also ordered them to do unpaid community work and banned them from online gambling for a year.
UKGC General Counsel Catherine Diamond called the case the first of its kind for the commission. The agency said it will continue investigating suspected criminal schemes involving betting.
Former MP Craig Williams pleaded guilty on 29 June 2026, and his sentencing date has not yet been announced. Hind also pleaded guilty that day, while Anthony and Laura Lee did so on 10 September. Trials of the other ten defendants are scheduled for September 2027 and January 2028.
For operators, the case shows that bets on political events fall under the same fraud provision as sports betting. Next steps in the story: Williams's sentencing and two trials in 2027-2028.
