Covid-19 and cancer charities are in the running for a major cash boost after the UK’s biggest betting operators agreed to donate all of their profits from the Britannia Stakes flagship race at Royal Ascot.
Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members, including Paddy Power Betfair, bet365, Ladbrokes Coral, William Hill, Sky Bet, Betway, BetVictor, Virgin Bet, Grosvenor Sport, FitzDares and JenningsBet will hand over all profit made from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted, on the big-field heritage handicap, the Britannia Stakes, which takes place at 4.10pm on Ascot Gold Cup Day, Thursday 18th June, which is the biggest betting day of Royal Ascot week.
The money raised by betting operators will be given to Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie Cancer Care, The Care Workers Charity and the Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.
The initiative from Betting and Gaming Council members complements our #StyledWithThanks charity appeal which has already benefited from a £100,000 donation from the racecourse.
Michael Dugher, chief executive of the BGC, said: “…Royal Ascot is the premier highlight of the racing calendar, and it’s fitting that the profits betting companies make from one of its greatest races will go towards some fantastic causes.”
Alastair Warwick, our COO said: “This is a tremendous gesture from so many of the powerhouses of the betting world. After the success of the Virtual Grand National initiative, we are thrilled that the betting industry has chosen to follow up at Royal Ascot and to complement our own fundraising initiatives for those on the front line of the Covid-19 crisis.”
