Premier League Rocked as Club Owner Linked to Alleged £600m Secret Betting Syndicate Tied to Nigel Farage Aide
Tony Bloom, the majority owner and chairman of Premier League football club Brighton & Hove Albion, is facing allegations of operating a clandestine gambling network reportedly worth £600 million ($800 million).
Some of the wagering accounts utilized by this operation are said to have belonged to a former chief of staff for Reform UK MP Nigel Farage.
Court documents allege that George Cottrell, a close associate of Reform leader Farage, managed a substantial gambling collective, and his personal betting accounts were reportedly controlled by this entity.
Furthermore, public filings suggest that Cottrell served as a proxy or front for a syndicate connected to Bloom, a point also noted in a report by The Guardian.
This information is part of a 19-page document central to an ongoing legal dispute between Bloom and Ryan Dudfield, a former associate. Dudfield’s lawyers contend that he is owed an estimated £189 million ($250 million) in gambling earnings.
The group, known as the Starlizard Betting Syndicate, is reported to achieve approximately £600 million in annual winnings.
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The documents assert that wagers were placed using the accounts of various individuals, including sports professionals and entrepreneurs.
It was also noted that Mr. Cottrell was not a highly successful gambler, often incurring substantial financial losses. Furthermore, Mr. Cottrell had transferred management of his wagering accounts to Mr. Bloom and the Syndicate, thereby eliminating the need for wagers to be forwarded to Mr. Cottrell for execution.
Although the syndicate’s overall earnings are undisclosed, Mr. Dudfield has asserted that he may be due up to $17.5 million, based on a profit-sharing arrangement that seemingly grants him a 7% share of those earnings.
The individual making the claim was informed, according to the documents, that the syndicate had discontinued its utilization of Mr. Cottrell’s betting accounts.
However, both Mr. McAleavy and Mr. Cottrell were aware that the Syndicate was persisting in its use of Mr. Cottrell’s betting accounts, and they both understood that substantial earnings had been, or could be, generated from the wagers already made and those planned for the future.
More Things To Know About Tony Bloom
Tony Bloom, chairman of Brighton, is recognized as a highly successful individual in professional gambling, having amassed a substantial personal fortune through poker and other related activities within that sector.
A devoted supporter of the team, Bloom became the club’s chairman in 2009 and soon after secured a 75% ownership stake, investing £93 million to facilitate the construction of the AMEX Stadium.
He has been instrumental in the south coast club’s progression from an average League One team to a consistent presence in the Premier League.
The team has also attracted notice across Europe due to its highly effective player scouting system.
Brighton has generated considerable financial profits through the acquisition and subsequent sale of players such as Moises Caicedo, Alexis Mac Allister, Yves Bissouma, Joao Pedro, Marc Cucurella, and Ben White.
The team had a positive first season under Fabian Hurzeler last term, finishing eighth and only four points short of qualifying for European competitions.
They could potentially rise as high as third in the Premier League table on Wednesday evening if they manage to defeat Aston Villa.
Legal representatives for Cottrell and Bloom have been contacted for a statement, while Bloom has not yet submitted a formal response to the claim.
Regarding Brighton’s competitive engagements, the team is anticipating a demanding holiday period filled with numerous matches.
Following their encounter with Aston Villa, they are scheduled to play West Ham United, Liverpool, Sunderland, Arsenal, and then West Ham United once more, all prior to the commencement of 2026.
