Spread betting firm Sporting Index saw a 200 per cent rise in new accounts and record bets taken during the recent UK general election, taking a bet every second during peak times.

Sporting Index

Sporting Index said a number of individuals walked away with more than £50,000 each having correctly forecast a number of big names - such as former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and business secretary Vince Cable – would lose their seats.

Mark Maydon, business affairs director for Sporting Index, said: “Though the result of the election surprised many, our political trading team played a blinder and our initial figures look very healthy indeed.”