MAJOR CHARITIES GET CASH WINDFALL THANKS TO BETTING AND GAMING COUNCIL BRITANNIA STAKES RACE

CHARITIES were the big winners at Royal Ascot after Betting and Gaming Council members donated all profits from the Britannia Stakes, a staggering £450,000.

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rode Arabian Story to a thrilling victory last Thursday, ensuring a bumper payout will now be split between Prostate Cancer UK, Missing People, the SAS Regimental Association, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Racing to School, Greenhouse Sports and Tempus Novo.

The initiative was made possible thanks to BGC members, Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Evoke (888 William Hill), Kindred (Unibet), Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Star Sports and QuinnBet, along with the support of Tote and Bet with Ascot.

With five favourites winning across last Thursday’s card, it was a rare bright spot for bookies when jockey Oisin Murphy steered Arabian Story to glory in the fiercely competitive Britannia Stakes.

But as promised, all profits from win and each-way bets were pledged to good causes once levy and duties were deducted. This marks the sixth consecutive year the BGC has run the Britannia Stakes charity initiative, which has now raised over £3.6 million for charitable causes.

Combined with other campaigns, such as the Grand National charity bet, standards body the BGC has helped raise more than £6.5 million for good causes since its formation in 2019.

Grainne Hurst, CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, said: “It’s brilliant to see BGC members once again coming together to support such a wide range of charities that make a real difference in communities right across the UK.

"A huge thank you goes to all our members who took part, their customers who placed a bet on the Britannia Stakes, and of course to Ascot for their continued partnership in this important initiative.

"Together, we've now raised over £3.6 million through the Britannia Stakes alone, and more than £6.5 million overall. These substantial donations highlight the real commitment of the BGC and its members to supporting charities across sport, racing, health, and the veteran community. We know how much this funding means to the organisations involved, and we’re incredibly proud to play our part in supporting the incredible work they do."

Jo Youle OBE, Chief Executive of Missing People said: “Thank you to the Betting and Gaming Council, and its members, for the incredible generosity for Missing People via the Britannia Stakes.

“Someone is reported missing every 90 seconds in the UK. Your support means the charity can be there for people in crisis who are missing, and for families still searching. No matter what the situation, this donation will mean that vital information, guidance and support will be available when it is needed most, and for however long it takes. Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who made this possible."

Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We are delighted to play host to this brilliant initiative which continues to raise vital funds and awareness for charities. The monies raised are helping our Ascot Racecourse Supports charity/community programme make a real difference to the many local and equine organisations that we support.”

Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby said: “We’re proud of our long-term relationship with the Betting and Gaming Council and are hugely grateful to them and their members for this generous donation on such a prestigious day of racing.

“Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in England and a disease that affects 1 in 8 men, but an early diagnosis could save your life.

“For several years now the BGC have helped us raise crucial awareness, and substantial funds which will make a massive difference to men affected by prostate cancer. Funds raised will support our groundbreaking screening trial, TRANSFORM, which will find the best way to screen men for the disease - so that one day, all men will be invited for regular tests, and more men will find it early enough to be cured. Thanks to everyone for their continued support.”

Steve Freer, Tempus Novo CEO stated: “We are absolutely delighted and deeply honoured to be part of this prestigious event at Royal Ascot. Our sincere thanks go to the Betting and Gaming Council for their generous support.

“The funding we’ve received is making a tangible, lasting impact. Every penny is helping to drive transformational change in the criminal justice system by supporting people with convictions into sustainable employment. This is critical work—without these opportunities, many are left with little choice but to return to crime upon release.

“Thanks to this support, we’re seeing lives changed, futures rebuilt, and a real shift in how rehabilitation can work in practice.”

John Blake, CEO of Racing to School said: “The beneficiaries, Trustees, and small staff team at Racing to School are hugely grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council, its members, and everyone who enjoyed a bet on this year’s Britannia Stakes for their generosity. If you didn’t back the winner, we hope you still enjoyed the thrill of watching the race in the knowledge that you have supported Racing to School and the six other beneficiary charities to continue their work.

“The funds will have an immediate impact to support the learning of some of the 17,500 participants of our Education Programmes who will take their first steps onto a racecourse this year which, we hope, will spark the beginning of a lifelong love of the sport.”

Greenhouse Sports CEO, Don Barrell, said: “We’re incredibly grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council for selecting Greenhouse Sports as a beneficiary of this year’s Britannia Stakes – and to everyone whose bets helped raise an incredible amount for charity.

“Like everyone at Royal Ascot, we believe in the power of sport. But for the young people we work with, it’s about more than the game – it’s about having a trusted adult in their corner.

“Our full-time Coach-Mentors are embedded in schools across some of the UK’s most disadvantaged areas. They’re there every day, year after year – building relationships, keeping young people engaged in education, boosting confidence, and helping them believe in their future.

“With child poverty at a record high, this support couldn’t be more important. It means we can reach more young people – and help transform their life chances.

“Thank you for making that possible.”

John Allcock, Secretary of the SAS Regimental Association (SASRA) said, “We are grateful and humbled by the actions of the bookmaking members of the Betting and Gaming Council in this our 80th anniversary year.

“Extraordinary service creates extraordinary need, requiring extraordinary support. The discreet nature of the association and its support to both veteran and serving membership, and their families are considerable and grow year on year.

“This donation will make a significant difference to the lives of those who have gone (and continue to go), always a little further. We thank you so much.”

Betting shops in the UK support 46,000 jobs, contribute nearly £1bn a year in direct tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.

Meanwhile, the entire regulated betting and gaming industry in the UK supports 109,000 jobs, generates £4bn in tax and contributes £6.8bn to the economy.

BGC members also help fund horseracing to the tune of £350m a year through sponsorship, media rights and the betting levy.

Each month in Britain around 22.5m adults have a bet and the most recent NHS Health Survey for England estimated that 0.4 per cent of the adult population are problem gamblers.