Brighton majority owner and chairman Tony Bloom. Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty
Tony Bloom, the billionaire owner of Brighton & Hove Albion and investor in Hearts, is facing explosive allegations over his involvement in a secretive betting syndicate said to generate hundreds of millions annually.
According to court documents cited by The Times, Bloom is accused of running a £600million gambling operation through his consultancy, Starlizard, which uses advanced data analytics to place high-stakes bets on football fixtures.
The claims stem from a lawsuit filed by Ryan Dudfield, a former associate of Bloom, who alleges he is owed up to £17.5million in profits.
Dudfield says he introduced George Cottrell – a former aide to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and convicted fraudster – to the syndicate.
Cottrell allegedly acted as a “whale” or frontman, allowing Bloom’s group to use his offshore betting accounts, including those linked to cryptocurrency platforms, to place wagers.
Court papers describe “secret exotic accounts” operated under third-party names, with code names like “whale” used internally.
Cottrell reportedly enjoyed a risk-free arrangement, receiving a share of winnings while losses were covered by the syndicate.
The Times notes Bloom has never met Cottrell personally.
While Bloom was granted special dispensation by the English FA in 2014 to run his betting consultancy, he is prohibited from betting on Brighton or Premier League matches – a point his lawyers insist has been respected.
The allegations, laid out in a 19-page British High Court filing, have sparked scrutiny of Bloom’s dual role as a football club owner and gambling magnate.
His Starlizard operation remains one of the most secretive and successful in the industry.
Bloom denies any wrongdoing, and the case is ongoing.