UK operators commit profits from Britannia Stakes to charity
Betting and Gaming Council members retain pledge to charitable causes for fifth year in a row ahead of Royal Ascot race on 20 June
Several British bookmakers have once again agreed to donate all the profits from this year’s Britannia Stakes race at Royal Ascot to a selection of prominent UK charities.
Taking place on 20 June, this will be the fifth consecutive year that the profits from the feature handicap race will be donated to charitable causes.
Prostate Cancer UK, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Missing People, HEROS, GoRacingGreen and the Churchill Lines Foundation will all receive a share of the race profits.
Several members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have signed up for the initiative this year.
Publicly listed businesses such Flutter, Entain, evoke, Kindred Group, Betway and Rank Group have all committed to the charity drive.
Virgin Bet, LiveScore Bet, Fitzdares, Star Sports, QuinnBet, Tote and Bet with Ascot have also signed up.
All profits made from win and each-way bets on the race will be donated, after levy and duties are deducted.
Should bookmakers fail to make a profit on the race, they have agreed to make a combined donation of £200,000 to be split among the selected charities.
Since launching the Brittania Stakes initiative in 2020 to support charities in light of the pandemic, the scheme has raised just under £3m.
BGC CEO and acting chair Michael Dugher said: “I am absolutely delighted that BGC members are once more raising vital funds at the Royal Meeting for some of the country’s top charities.
“To date, the BGC’s Britannia Stakes Charity Bet campaign has raised nearly £3m for a host of good causes, and on behalf of the BGC and our members, we are proud to once more celebrate this iconic race and raise vital funds along the way.
“Tens of millions of people up and down the country enjoy a flutter each month and I’m delighted that some of the country’s biggest bookmakers will once again donate their profits from one of Royal Ascot’s top races, the Britannia Stakes,” he added.
Last year’s race, won by Docklands, saw the nominated charities receive a share of £277,000.
GoRacingGreen founder Debbie Matthews, added: “I am so grateful for the backing of BGC members and their support for stable visits across the UK and Ireland to those who struggle with their mental health.
“This additional funding will go an extremely long way in working with racecourses to get as many people to the racecourse as possible, which not only has a positive effect on their wellbeing, but also gets more people going racing.”