Political Watchdog Demands Inquiry into Gambling Entities Linked to Reform UK Donors and Associates of Nigel Farage
The UK Gambling Commission has faced mounting pressure to launch a formal investigation into allegations that companies linked to Reform UK donors and associates of Nigel Farage have operated without a proper licence. Labour Party Chair Bridget Phillipson formally wrote to the regulatory watchdog, urging officials to scrutinize the activities of Tether.bet, a Montenegro-based gambling platform, and Fispay, a UK company owned by Reform’s data protection officer, Mowbray Jackson.
The call for an inquiry follows investigative reports published by The Sunday Times, which alleged that both entities operated gaming facilities without the mandatory authorization required under the UK Gambling Act 2005. Under British law, providing commercial remote gambling facilities to UK consumers without a license is illegal.
Details of the Allegations and Stakeholder Responses
The controversy connects several high-profile figures within the political and financial landscape. Tether.bet, which recently posted a closure notice on its website on August 12, has faced scrutiny over its operational framework. George Cottrell, a long-term associate of Nigel Farage, has been linked to the platform by media reports. However, representatives for Cottrell firmly denied any ownership or operational involvement, stating that his relationship with the platform was restricted to that of a customer and personal acquaintance of the owner, while emphasizing that he has never solicited clients for any betting company.
Similarly, Fispay owner Mowbray Jackson told reporters that his firm exclusively brokered private jet travel and has never provided facilities or services for gambling. Concurrently, crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne, whose £5m financial gift to Farage is separately under review by the parliamentary commissioner for standards, faced scrutiny regarding IFX, a payment processing company he is associated with, which allegedly handled transactions for deposit and payout operations. Representatives for Harborne and IFX maintained that he has never played an operational role in the company, which operates in full compliance with applicable regulations.
Broader Political Fallout and Parliamentary Inquiry
The gambling watchdog referral adds to a growing mountain of political and financial questions facing Reform UK leadership. The parliamentary standards commissioner reopened an investigation into Nigel Farage regarding the declaration of gifts received prior to the general election, including the £5m personal contribution from Harborne and additional financial backing from Cottrell.
Under parliamentary rules, newly elected MPs are required to register gifts valued above £300 unless they cannot reasonably be perceived as relating to political activities. While political debates and inquiries continue to unfold, the Gambling Commission faces mounting calls to determine whether any unlicensed remote gaming activities directly targeted UK consumers.
