Tory MP under fire for offering to lobby for gambling investors, leak documents

A Conservative MP has been slammed by colleagues after offering to represent betting lobbyists in parliament and leak confidential documents in exchange for cash.

Scott Benton, MP for Blackpool South, was caught out trying to strike a deal with people he thought to be investors in an undercover investigation by The Times.

During a meeting at a central London hotel in March, Benton outlined how he was willing to use his position to help the fake gambling business and try to undermine regulation.

He said that he could leak a copy of the government's imminent reform white paper 48 hours before it was public, to enable the gambling industry to profit from market-sensitive info.

The MP also offered to submit parliamentary questions, provide "easy access to ministers", and "call in favours" from colleagues in exchange for between £2000 and £4000 a month.

The government is expected to outline its proposed reforms to gambling legislation after the Easter parliamentary break, and campaigners are hoping for tough action.

Problem gambling has become a public health emergency in the UK, with one gambling-related suicide every day and more than two million people addicted, or at risk of becoming addicted.

CARE has urged the government to deliver a range of new measures to bring more accountability to the betting industry, and protect vulnerable problem gamblers and children.

This week, CARE's policy lead on gambling, Tim Cairns, said a statutory 5% levy on gambling company profits to fund help for problem gamblers should be a top priority:

“The gambling industry boasts profits of almost £15 billion per annum from British punters. These profits come at a high cost to the public. Gambling addiction shatters individuals, families, and communities.

"It is past time big betting was made to pay. Under current rules, betting companies make voluntary contributions towards addressing gambling harms. But these contributions are woefully inadequate.

“In 2019 the gambling industry upped voluntary contributions to offer £110 million for counselling and support services by 2024. This payment isn’t even a drop in the ocean of what is required to help those affected.

"In the whole of the UK there is about 400,000 people who need help. That means £240 million is needed per year to treat the harm the industry causes.

“It is time for a substantial, compulsory levy to be placed on gambling companies. Money from this can go to services that free people from the chains of addiction.

"To meet demand, a levy of around 5% per annum is required. The industry has caused the problems we are seeing in society, and it is time it was forced to take responsibility."