Montgomeryshire MS charged with gambling offences

Montgomeryshire Member of the Senedd, Russell George MS, has been formally charged with an offence under the Gambling Act 2005 following a high-profile investigation by the Gambling Commission into alleged betting irregularities linked to the timing of the 2024 UK General Election.

Mr George, 50, who has represented Montgomeryshire in the Senedd since 2011, is one of 15 individuals charged as part of the Commission’s probe into suspected cheating using confidential government information.

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The charges relate to alleged bets placed on the timing of the 2024 General Election using insider knowledge before the date was publicly announced. The Commission has stated that such conduct, if proven, constitutes cheating under Section 42 of the Gambling Act 2005—a criminal offence.

According to a press release issued by the Gambling Commission on Monday, the investigation began in June 2024 and has resulted in charges against multiple individuals from across the UK, including political figures, former police officers, and civil servants.

Mr George, who resides in Newtown, is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court at 10am on Friday, 13 June 2025, alongside the other defendants.

Among those also charged is Craig Williams, 39, of Llanfair Caereinion near Welshpool—who served as a senior adviser to then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the run-up to the election.

The Commission has not disclosed further details, citing the ongoing nature of the criminal proceedings. However, it emphasised its commitment to ensuring the integrity of gambling practices and its determination to take "robust action against illegal betting practices."

The Gambling Commission is an independent statutory body responsible for regulating gambling in Great Britain. It has the authority to investigate offences and pursue criminal prosecutions under the Gambling Act.

This case is separate from an earlier investigation by the Metropolitan Police, which was discontinued without charges.

Mr George has not yet issued a public statement regarding the charge.