Former Conservative officials admit cheating over election date bets

Two former senior Conservative Party figures have pleaded guilty to cheating offences. This was in connection with bets placed on the date of the 2024 UK General Election.

Anthony Lee, the party’s former director of campaigning, admitted two offences. These were under sections 42(1)(a) and 42(1)(b) of the Gambling Act 2005.

His wife, Laura Lee, formerly Laura Saunders, pleaded guilty to one offence under section 42(1)(a). She was previously the Conservative Party’s head of international. She also stood as its candidate for Bristol North-West at the 2024 election.

The guilty pleas were confirmed by the Gambling Commission on 10 September.

Lee and Lee join former Conservative parliamentary candidate Craig Williams and police officer Amy Hind, who admitted related offences in June. Four defendants have now pleaded guilty in connection with the investigation.

Confidential election information used for bets

Former prime minister Rishi Sunak publicly announced on 22 May 2024 that the General Election would take place on 4 July.

However, significant planning for that date had already taken place at 10 Downing Street and Conservative Campaign Headquarters.

Anthony Lee’s position gave him access to highly sensitive discussions about the timing of the election. The Gambling Commission said he used the confidential information to place bets and also passed it to his wife.

Laura Lee then placed her own bets with the benefit of the information she had received.

At the time, gambling operators were offering special markets allowing customers to predict when the next General Election would take place.

“This was not a market to be abused by those with inside information as to when the election would be held.” – UKGC

The cheating offence under Section 42 of the Gambling Act can apply where someone cheats at gambling or enables another person to do so. It is not necessary to prove that the individual ultimately made a profit.

Sentencing scheduled for October

Anthony Lee, Laura Lee and Amy Hind are due to be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on 23 October 2026. Williams will be sentenced separately at a later date.

The trials of ten other defendants are scheduled to take place in September 2027 and January 2028. Those defendants have not been convicted. The allegations against them are yet to be determined by the court.

The wider investigation began in June 2024. This was following reports that people with potential access to inside information had placed bets on the election date before it was announced publicly.

The case also shows the limitations of politically exposed person checks. PEP status can trigger enhanced customer due diligence. It does not, however, prevent an individual from opening an account or placing a lawful political bet.

Operators must instead identify potentially suspicious activity and report concerns where betting patterns or customer information indicate that confidential knowledge may have been used.