Racing fans urged to back their favourites and help raise money for great causes
Horseracing fans have been urged to have a flutter on a flagship race and help raise money for top charities at the same time.
The Betting and Gaming Council’s biggest members have agreed to donate all their profits from the Britainna Stakes, which takes place at Royal Ascot today (THUR), to Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, the three Armed Forces charities and Care Radio.
Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), bet365, Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), William Hill, Kindred (Unibet), BetVictor, Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), GentingBet, the Tote, AnzoGroup (Livescore Bet and Virgin Bet), Fitzdares and Sporting Index have all signed up to the fundraising initiative.
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.
And if they do not make a profit on the race, the operators have agreed to make a donation to the charities.
It follows the success of last year’s Britannia Stakes fundraising drive, when £250,000 was raised for a range of good causes.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the BGC’s largest members are once again leading this fantastic initiative, which will raise vital funds for some of the country’s top charities.
“Racing is 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 to go towards some brilliant causes that will help so many people from across the country.”
Alastair Warwick, managing director at Ascot Racecourse, said: “We are thrilled that the betting industry will once again be donating profits from the Britannia Stakes to these very worthy charities.”
Nineteen-times champion jump jockey Sir AP McCoy said: “It’s a fantastic idea, and, like the virtual Grand National initiative last year, I hope the charities receive a big windfall from the race.”
Derren Maggs, Managing Director, Sporting Index, said: “We are very happy to donate any profits on the Britannia Stakes to the charities as part of this initiative by the Betting and Gaming Council. It’s great to see the industry coming together and it’s something we are delighted to be involved in.”
James McKay, sportsbook director for Livescore Bet and Virgin Bet, said: "This is a great initiative which both brands are extremely proud to be associated with and ultimately some amazing charities will benefit from it."
