The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC)’s Royal Ascot initiative has raised £250,000, which will be split between various charity organisations.
A number of major operators with UK market strongholds have agreed to donate their profits from both win and each-way bets from last Thursday’s Britannia Stakes.
The race was won by second-favourite Khaloosy, with the pre-race favourite Finest Sound finishing in second place.
The BGC had already raised millions for the NHS through this year’s Virtual Grand National.
Charities are the big winners
The £250,000 will be split between Prostate Cancer UK and Marie Curie, as well as The Care Workers Charity and Berkshire Community Foundation Coronavirus Fund.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher spoke about the initiative, which saw horse racing continue to support good causes throughout the UK.
“It was a great day for punters, though not such a good one for the bookies.
“However, it’s brilliant to see that despite bookmakers not making a profit in the race, they will still make a large donation of £250,000 to four fantastic charities, who undoubtedly deserve every penny.”
At the Virtual Grand National in April, operators donated £2.6 million to the NHS. The real-life event had been cancelled due to COVID-19.
“Incredible donation”
Tracey Pritchard, Prostate Cancer UK’s Director of Fundraising & Supporter Engagement, thanked the BGC for their work.
“I would like to thank everyone at the Betting and Gaming Council and their betting operator members for this incredible donation to Prostate Cancer UK,” she said.
“Prostate cancer is now the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the UK, with around 400,000 men living with the disease, and we appreciate having the opportunity to raise awareness about this on such an iconic occasion.
“Money raised by this fantastic initiative will go towards life saving research into treatments and better tests to stop the disease being a killer, and men and their families accessing our support service during these challenging times.”
Marie Curie Corporate Development Manager Sam Berry also spoke about the Council’s initiative. He said the following.
“We are hugely grateful to the Betting and Gaming Council members for their incredible donation.
“At a time when Marie Curie is on the frontline of the coronavirus crisis providing care and support to people across the UK both with and without coronavirus, our fundraising has been impacted.
“It’s thanks to generous support like this that we can continue our vital care for dying people and those living with terminal illness.”
