Charities to benefit as bookies repeat pledge to donate Britannia Stakes profits

Britain's biggest betting operators have once again pledged to donate all the profits they make from the Britannia Stakes at this year's Royal Ascot to charity.

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members Flutter Entertainment (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), bet365, Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), William Hill, Kindred (Unibet), BetVictor, Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), the Tote and Fitzdares have all signed up to the initiative.

Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, the three Armed Forces charities and Care Radio will all benefit and even if the bookmakers do not make a profit on the race they have agreed to make a donation to the organisations.

That was the case in the Britannia last year after the operators made a loss when the well-supported 9-2 shot Khaloosy led home 11-4 favourite Finest Sound but the bookmakers still gave £250,000.

Michael Dugher: BGC members leading a 'fantastic initiative'

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: "I am absolutely delighted 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 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."

Ascot's managing director Alastair Warwick said the course was thrilled that charities would again benefit from betting on the Britannia Stakes.

He added: "Hopefully lots of money will be raised at a time when it is much needed in light of the impact Covid-19 has had on charity fundraising efforts."

The bookmakers involved will hand over all profits they make from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted, on the Britannia, which is run on Gold Cup day on June 17.

Last year the betting industry also raised £2.9 million for NHS charities through betting on the Virtual Grand National which took place during the first lockdown.

Read more:

Bookmakers donate £250,000 to Covid and cancer charities despite Britannia loss

Bookies to donate Britannia profits to Covid-19 and cancer charities

Huge payout for NHS charities thanks to bets on 2020 Virtual Grand National

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