Former Labour Candidate Cleared in Election Betting Inquiry

A former Labour candidate has been cleared by the gambling watchdog, following his bet that he would not win his campaign to become an MP in this year’s general election. Kevin Craig was suspended as Labour’s candidate for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich after it emerged the Gambling Commission had initiated an investigation regarding the wager. Mr Craig’s lawyer stated that he had “acted lawfully,” and the commission would not be pursuing further action. He is now advocating for a prohibition on politicians betting on elections, stating, “in order that there is clarity and others do not have to endure the same fate.” There is no existing law that prevents politicians from placing bets on elections. However, utilizing confidential information to gain an advantage could be classified as cheating under the Gambling Act, which constitutes a criminal offence. In a statement, Mr Craig’s lawyer described the commission’s decision as a “complete and total exoneration.” He asserted, “Mr Craig had no inside information and had no way of knowing who would win the election.” The lawyer added, “It is widely recognised that some people place bets against the result they wish to happen, for example, betting against their football team. Such behaviour helps cushion the disappointment of a loss.” The statement also included criticism of the Labour Party, claiming Mr Craig had been “badly treated.” His lawyer commented, “It is important to state that no investigation was undertaken before Kevin Craig’s name was released and he was then publicly suspended from the Labour Party.” The lawyer further stated, “The first Kevin Craig knew of this matter was when he was publicly suspended and that should not have happened. There is no precedent for such actions.” In addition to his suspension, Labour also returned a £100,000 donation made by Mr Craig in 2023. Mr Craig, a longstanding Labour donor, indicates that he has since been readmitted to the party. The Labour Party has been contacted for comment. Mr Craig had previously characterized the bet as a “stupid error” and mentioned his intention to donate any potential winnings to local charities. He informed GB News that he had gambled £800 on the outcome that he would lose Central Suffolk and North Ipswich to the Conservatives. Tory candidate Patrick Spencer ultimately secured the seat in July’s election, achieving a majority of 4,290 votes. The Gambling Commission confirmed that it had concluded its investigation into Mr Craig. Nevertheless, the regulatory body noted that a separate investigation is ongoing, focusing on the use of confidential information to obtain an unfair advantage when betting on the date of the general election. Disclosures concerning alleged wagers on the election date significantly impacted the Conservative election campaign, leading to several Conservative members also being investigated by the commission.