Anti-gambling figures are calling for MP Lindsay Hoyle to apologize for opening Betfred’s HQ. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

High-profile anti-gambling campaigners in the UK have taken aim at the Speaker of the House of Commons for re-opening Betfred’s refurbished headquarters in Warrington, Cheshire. A smiling Lindsay Hoyle was photographed shaking hands with the boss of the UK-based sportsbook, Fred Done, in front of a new plaque at the HQ. 

Campaigners condemned the act, claiming it brought Hoyle’s role as Commons Speaker into disrepute.

The line from the House of Commons, meanwhile, was that the MP was attending the event in a different capacity, namely through his role as President of the Rugby Football League. The big black type on the shiny plaque at Betfred HQ, however, reads the refurbished HQ was officially opened by ‘The Speaker of the House of Commons, the RT Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP.’ 

Will Prochaska led the onslaught, slating the MP’s decision to “help wash the reputation of Betfred.”

As MPs declined to comment further, The Guardian reported a growing outcry for the endorsement of the sportsbook. Anti-gambling agitator Will Prochaska led the onslaught, slating the MP’s decision to “help wash the reputation of Betfred.” He was referring to Betfred’s trouble with anti-money laundering and social responsibility failures in 2023, for which the UK Gambling Commission fined it £3.25m.

Prochaska is calling for the plaque to come down and Doyle to “apologise to parliament and to the millions of people harmed by gambling each year in Great Britain.”

Clean Up Gambling Director Matt Zarb-Cousin, meanwhile, stated it was “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.”