Two Tory MPs have come under scrutiny by the Liberal Dems after accepting hospitality gifts from gambling companies, despite the revision of the UK’s Gambling Act still ongoing.
Accepted Sporting Gifts
Liberal Democrats have condemned Tatton constituency members Esther McVey and husband Philip Davis for accepting many gifts from gambling operators to sporting events throughout a two-month period in 2021.According to the UK media, the pair accepted tickets to the value of £18,000 to betting events including tennis, motorsport, horse racing, and football games. McVey and her husband also accepted thousands of pounds worth of gifts from gambling operators.In July 2021, McVey admitted she accepted tickets to the British Grand Prix worth £2,950. Normandie Stud who breeds thoroughbred horses gifted tickets to Royal Ascot worth £750.The couple also attended a Euro 2020 match with gifted tickets from bingo and casino operator Gamesys.Entain, who are responsible for many large brands including Ladbrokes, Gala Bingo, Coral also gifted the couple tickets worth £6,900 for the Euro 2020 match between England and Denmark. They also attended Wimbledon the previous week, with tickets worth £2,200 from a gambling company who are ambassadors for resisting changes in the UK Gambling Act 2005.Ms. McVey came under fire from Liberal Democrats after accepting gifts from many gambling operators, despite being an advocate for the hard-working, British public.
Many MPs Accepted Sports Gifts
McVey and her husband Philip Davis are just two of more than 65 parliamentary MPs who have admitted accepting gifts from gambling operators worth £160,000 between the months of May and July. It’s not only Tory MP’s accepting gifts, but the Labour Party was also gifted tickets worth £31,921 during the same time period.