UK Betting Scandal: Alister Jack Admits to Betting on Election Date

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Facts

• Scottish Secretary Alister Jack has admitted to betting on the date of the UK general election, as a growing number of UK members of parliament and political officials are being investigated by the UK Gambling Commission.¹
• Jack released a statement around 10 p.m. Tuesday night (local time), saying that he placed two unsuccessful wagers of £5 ($6) each, on the election date in March before winning a £20 ($25) bet made in April on the election occurring between July and September.²
• Jack clarified his previous claim that he won over £2K ($2.5K) on an election bet, calling it a 'joke.' He clarified that he had won £120 ($151), and was neither under investigation by the Gambling Commission nor had any knowledge at the time of when the election would be called.¹
• Up to 15 Conservative election candidates and party officials – including Laura Saunders and Craig Williams – are under investigation for placing illegal wagers, alongside six members of the Metropolitan Police, as well as a Labour Party candidate.³
• With the general election taking place next week, candidate names will remain on the ballots irrespective of ongoing investigations or potential suspensions by their respective parties.⁴
• Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005 makes cheating at gambling, irrespective of winnings, an offense liable for up to two years in prison.⁵

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²The Telegraph, ³Verity, ⁴Independent and ⁵Legislation.

Narratives

• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Guardian. As more and more politicians and political insiders become implicated in this betting scandal, people are growing increasingly distrustful of their leaders. Politics is personal for so many people, impacting their ability to make ends meet and live their day-to-day lives. Yet the people in charge sadly view politics along the lines of a casino game. Potentially using insider information only deepens this scandal, and it will take serious effort for British politicians to regain the trust of their constituents again.
• Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Spectator (UK). Politicians betting on political outcomes certainly presents an ethical dilemma, and using insider information to make a quick buck is not behavior that's ethical for a public official. However, the moral outrage that has come amid this gambling saga is disproportionate to the severity. For example, Alister Jack wagered £20 on the election being held between July and September. Should he be imprisoned or removed from office? The answer is obviously not. The leaders involved should be scolded for their foolish activities, but this is hardly a national scandal of epic proportions.

Predictions