Lindsay Hoyle Criticized for Opening New Betfred HQ
Anti-gambling campaigners are demanding an apology from the UK’s Commons speaker, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, after he took part in the opening of Betfred’s newly renovated headquarters in Warrington, which features a plaque commemorating his involvement.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:Located about 20 miles from his Chorley constituency, the multimillion-dollar Betfred HQ opened late last month. While Hoyle attended in his capacity as president of the Rugby Football League (RFL), a role Betfred supports as a long-time sponsor, the plaque identifies him as the speaker of the House of Commons, a position that is strictly non-partisan.
Hoyle’s Impartiality Called into Question
Critics, such as gambling reform campaigner Will Prochaska, argue that the association undermines the impartiality of Hoyle’s role as speaker.
Lindsay Hoyle’s decision to help wash the reputation of Betfred, who were fined £3.25m last year for irresponsible behavior, brings the role of speaker of the house into disrepute. The plaque should be removed, and he should apologize to parliament and the millions harmed by gambling in Great Britain each year.
Matt Zarb-Cousin, the director of Clean Up Gambling, expressed similar views and argued that as Commons speaker, Hoyle must not show favor for any particular interests and as such, it was a “huge error of judgment” for him to be endorsing a gambling operator.
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Betfred’s Recent Controversies
Betfred has faced scrutiny for multiple controversies. Last year, its owners were fined £3.25 million by the Gambling Commission for social responsibility and anti-money-laundering violations. In 2021, Betfred paid out following a legal dispute over a gambler’s 2018 winnings, which had initially been withheld due to a claimed “defect” in the game.
The company’s refurbished headquarters, where 450 people are employed, occupies the site of the former Warrington Spectrum, which was once a live music and sports venue. Betfred founder and chairman Fred Done celebrated the presence of Hoyle and said that he was delighted he had “kindly agreed to officially open the building.”
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