Bookies to donate all profits from Royal Ascot race to UK charities, BGC reveal
A number of UK charities are set to benefit from one of Royal Ascot's most famous races this week, as bookmakers pledge to donate all profits from the Britannia Stakes to good causes.
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) announced that its members will give away every penny of profit from win and each-way bets on the race - held on Ladies' Day, Wednesday 19 June - to a range of UK charities.
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This marks the sixth year in a row that the initiative has run, raising more than £3 million to date.
Charities set to receive funds this year include Prostate Cancer UK, Missing People, the SAS Regimental Association, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Racing to School, Greenhouse Sports and TempusNovo.
Bookmakers taking part include Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), William Hill, Unibet, Betway, Virgin Bet, Star Sports, QuinnBet, the Tote and Bet with Ascot.
If the bookmakers don't make a profit on the race, they've agreed to donate a minimum of £200,000 to be shared between the chosen charities.
Since 2019, BGC members have raised over £6 million for charities supporting health, sport and the armed forces.
Betting and Gaming Council CEO Grainne Hurst, said: 'I'm absolutely delighted to announce that BGC members will once more be raising significant funds for a host of charities at the Britannia Stakes.
"The BGC and our members are incredibly proud to have raised millions for a host of cherished good causes over the last five years, and it's fantastic to partner with Royal Ascot once again to add to that tally.
"Millions of us enjoy a flutter, while Royal Ascot is the crown jewel in the sporting calendar, so it's fantastic to see Britain's bookies once again donating their profits from the Britannia Stakes. Whatever the result, charities are guaranteed to win big.'
Felicity Barnard, Chief Executive at Ascot Racecourse, said: 'We are delighted that members of the Betting and Gaming Council continue to support this hugely successful initiative.
"We are again thrilled that Ascot Racecourse Supports is a beneficiary – the monies raised are helping to support key community and equine legacy projects and we are hugely grateful.'
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For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
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