CHARITIES TO BENEFIT FROM BRITANNIA STAKES RESULT AGAIN

FROM BRITANNIA STAKES RESULT AGAIN

Britain’s leading bookmakers will once again donate all profits they make from the running of the Britannia Stakes this year at Royal Ascot to various charities.

In excess of ten bookmaker members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) will take part in the initiative with the contributors this year being: bet365, Betfair, BetVictor, Betway, Fitzdares, Grosvenor Sport, Ladbrokes Coral, Livescore Bet, Paddy Power, Sky Bet, Tote, Unibet, Virgin Bet and William Hill. They will hand over all profits they make from win and each-way bets, after Levy and duties are deducted, on the big-field Heritage Handicap. If they do not make a profit on the race, the operators have agreed to make a donation to the charities. All profits made from bets placed on course with Bet with Ascot will also contribute to the fundraising.

The ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Sue Ryder, The Ivors Academy Trust and Cotswold Riding for the Disabled will be the nominated beneficiaries this year while money will also be donated to the Ascot Racecourse Supports Community Fund. Ascot Racecourse and the BGC hope the initiative will help punters enjoy a race where, even if they lose, charities are guaranteed to win. Started in 2020, across the two years to date a total of £1.5m has been donated to the nominated charities, including an incredible £1.25m to Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, the three Armed Forces charities and Care Radio last year when 18/1 shot Peretto won the race in what would typically have been a bookmakerfriendly result. Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the BGC’s largest members are once again raising vital funds at the Royal Meeting for some of the country’s top charities, especially in this, the year of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

“Her Majesty’s passion for racing is known across the globe. It’s a sport that has the power to bring people together and Royal Ascot is one of the great highlights of the calendar. Millions of people enjoy a flutter and I’m proud that betting companies will donate their profits from one of Royal Ascot’s top races, the Britannia Stakes, to go towards some great charities. I am once again indebted to everyone at Royal Ascot for their continued support.” Alastair Warwick, Managing Director, Ascot Racecourse, said: “We are delighted that Royal Ascot will once again play a part in raising valuable funds for these deserving charities. “I know this fantastic initiative from the betting industry is hugely appreciated and the money will be used for some extremely worthwhile causes.”