Former aide of Nigel Farage makes a risky bet with £16 million.
During a poker tournament in Montenegro, millionaires and billionaires come together to risk their fortunes. George Cottrell, ex-advisor to Brexit advocate Farage, belongs to this high-class group. But the young banker is making a daring wager.
The 30-year-old, who previously worked as Farage's chief of staff, has reportedly lost a staggering £15.9 million (€18.8 million) in one night of gambling. Yet, according to the Daily Mail, Cottrell didn't show any signs of panic or regret. In fact, he seemed amused, even in the wee hours of the morning when he had clearly lost his luck.
This happened at a private poker game in Budva, where participants bring cash for high-stakes play. The game reportedly has a minimum stake of €200,000. It doesn't come as a surprise that Cottrell's opponents are billionaires, Hollywood stars, and poker legends. Apparently, he couldn't keep up with these big shots. When he left the table, George Cottrell was €18.8 million poorer.
Cottrell dubbed a "whale" by his peers
"Though he lost a fortune, George remained undeterred and stayed at the table until seven in the morning," the Daily Mail cites a source. According to other accounts, Cottrell has earned the nickname "Whale" among his friends - a term for someone who's extremely wealthy, takes significant risks, and is not a pro gambler.
Cottrell rose to prominence after the 2015 UK general election, when he became the United Kingdom Independence Party's deputy treasurer. During his tenure as head of the party's fundraising department, he became Farage's right-hand man. However, in 2016, he faced legal troubles, getting arrested and sentenced to a 8-month prison term in the U.S. for fraud.
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Source: www.ntv.de
