'It stinks: Monmore Green Stadium owners slammed by MPs for 'underhand' gambling lobbying

Customers were sent templates for letters to send to their MPs urging them to oppose the Bill and take the matter up with ministers.

MPs campaigning for tighter gambling regulation after recent suicides of those who have lost savings to gambling, are furious with the company.

Carolyn Harris, who chairs a cross-party parliamentary group on gambling harm, said: “These emails reveal their true colours as they immediately try to undermine the proposals using covert and dishonest tactics.”

Lady Davidson, the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, said: “Of course it’s legitimate for the public to lobby MPs on upcoming legislation.

“But for members of parliament – and members of the public – to be kept in the dark over which well-funded gambling firm is behind lobbying efforts such as template emails is pretty underhand. In fact, it stinks.”

Iain Duncan Smith, former leader of the Tories described the distribution of email templates as "dishonest".

He said: “At no stage do these emails point out that it’s a lobbying exercise by a company. They’re trying to hide behind constituents rather than coming clean about their own self-interest.”

After the Government's white paper was published, Entain welcomed “an important step towards having a robust regulatory framework that is fit for the digital age and creates a level playing field for all operators”.

However, a Guardian investigation revealed the Players’ Panel, which claims to represent the interests of gamblers but is funded by Entain, wrote to people urging them to complain to their MP.

Templates included complaints that reducing gambling limits were “a massive infringement on my personal freedom”.

Entain said in a statement: “It is hugely important that everyday punters have an active say in the consultation process that has been launched as part of the Gambling Act review, and especially those elements of the review that could impact a recreational past-time [sic] that is enjoyed by millions of people across the country.

“We do not see any contradiction between our welcoming of the review and our encouragement of our customers to make their voices heard in what is an important and necessary debate.”

Entain added that members of the Players’ Panel were unpaid volunteers who did not receive any benefit from the company.

Last month Wolves Speedway Club announced the bombshell news Entain Group was refusing to renew its lease next season bringing down the curtain of nearly 100 years speedway at Monmore Green Stadium.