LINDSAY Hoyle has been condemned after opening gambling firm Betfred’s new multimillion-pound headquarters.
First reported in The Guardian, the Commons Speaker has been asked by anti-gambling campaigners to apologise for opening the Warrington HQ last month – which is 20 miles outside his constituency.
Hoyle defended the move by saying that the opening was in his capacity as president of the Rugby Football League – however, the plaque installed only references Hoyle’s role as Commons Speaker.
Will Prochaska, a campaigner for gambling reform, told the newspaper: “Lindsay Hoyle’s decision to help wash the reputation of Betfred, who were fined £3.25m last year for irresponsible behaviour, brings the role of speaker of the house into disrepute.
“The plaque should be removed and he should apologise to parliament and to the millions of people harmed by gambling each year in Great Britain.”
Matt Zarb-Cousin, the director of Clean Up Gambling, said: “Being Commons speaker is a privilege that comes with a responsibility to being non-partisan in all aspects of the job. That means not favouring particular interests over others.
“It is a huge error of judgment for the speaker to be seen to be endorsing a gambling operator, in particular Betfred given its track record of mistreating staff and customers.”
The Gambling Commission fined Betfred’s owners £3.25m in July 2023 after an investigation revealed social responsibility and anti-money-laundering failures.
Betfred founder and chair Fred Done said at the opening: “I’m delighted that, because of our close association with rugby league, Sir Lindsay Hoyle has kindly agreed to officially open the building.”
A spokesperson for Hoyle said: “The speaker visited in his capacity as president of the Rugby Football League only.”
