Overview
- Bloom issued a categorical denial after reports linked him to about $70m in gambling winnings allegedly involving bets on matches connected to his clubs.
- He said his football wagers are audited annually by a leading accountancy firm for compliance with FA rules, and Brighton stated lawyers have contacted the Guardian and the club has notified the FA and Premier League.
- A UK high-court claim by former associate Ryan Dudfield alleges Bloom’s Starlizard syndicate used frontmen, including George Cottrell, to place substantial bets and seeks a share of profits said to be worth around $250m.
- A separate US effort by a Rollbit co-founder to unmask a ‘John Doe’ behind the $70m winnings was initially denied by a judge, with the disclosure dispute continuing.
- MPs including Clive Efford and Clive Betts have called for the FA to investigate the allegations and to reconsider the owner betting exemption introduced in 2014.