Rory Campbell, 37, the son of prominent political advisor Alistair Campbell, is reportedly in hot water over a betting syndicate that went bust, leaving investors short of millions of dollars. According to The Daily Mail, Campbell failed to recoup investors’ money after bookmakers did not pay out winnings.
Betting Syndicate Falls Through Over Owed Payments
Campbell leveraged his financial and sports betting expertise to secure better odds and potential payouts by turning to bookmakers in Asia. This resulted in $6.26 million (£5 million) worth of wagers. However, the bookmakers failed to honor their payments, leaving the syndicate in a financial hole.
It remains unclear why Campbell entrusted seven-figure sums to potentially unregulated bookmakers with worse track records than those regulated by the UK Gambling Commission. He may have been seeking the best odds.
The situation worsened when Campbell assured investors through his legal team that they would receive their money back. However, he was unable to gather the funds, and the case has now been referred to the police.
Investors Seeking Justice with Law Enforcement
Campbell, known for his risk-taking and leveraging his knowledge of statistics and mathematics, worked as a data analyst for UK soccer clubs before setting up his syndicate. He accepted wagers from punters, offering to place their money at the best possible outcomes to generate profit.
At least 50 people invested with Campbell, with wagers ranging from $12,500 (£10,000) to $627,000 (£500,000). Despite delays, Campbell insisted that the syndicate was sound and there was no financial loss to fear. However, by mid-2024, he confirmed that only half of all funds would be restored to investors.
Some 20 investors have compiled a dossier that has been referred to the police. Investors claim Campbell promised that no more than 5% of the money could ever be lost and that he would manage the risk effectively.
Campbell’s team has responded, arguing that the coverage was not entirely factual and produced from multiple points of view, explaining a “complex set of issues” understood to be confidential negotiations.
For what it’s worth, nothing in Campbell’s behavior suggests bad faith. Instead, the bookmakers he chose may ultimately be to blame. The Daily Mail’s reporting should be taken with a grain of salt.
