MPs have taken more than £200,000 in wages and freebies from the gambling industry over the past year, it was reported last night.
A total of 28 MPs – 19 Tory and the rest Labour – were either paid by betting firms or accepted hospitality from them since August 2020, The Guardian found.
All the occasions were declared in the register of members’ interests and come to a total of £224,281.
They include Tory MP Scott Benton who warned in the Commons against anti-gambling laws hours before attending a Euros football match courtesy of Ladbrokes Coral owner, Entain.
A total of 28 MPs – 19 Tory and the rest Labour – were either paid by betting firms or accepted hospitality from them since August 2020, The Guardian found
Labour’s John Spellar spoke in the Commons in favour of casinos after being a guest of Paddy Power owner, Flutter, at England’s match against Germany.
In July, the Conservative MP Mark Jenkinson expressed ‘grave concerns’ about Government-imposed betting limits in an article sponsored by the Betting and Gaming Council, which took him to Ascot less than a month later.
It is not possible to say that the MPs violated any laws.