Flutter Entertainment (Paddy Power, Betfair and Sky Bet), bet365, Entain (Ladbrokes and Coral), William Hill, Kindred (Unibet), BetVictor, Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), the Tote and Fitzdares have signed up to the initiative. Profits from win and each-way bets, after levy and duties are deducted, will go to charity, while if bookmakers do not make a profit on the race, they will make a donation to the charities themselves.
The proceeds raised will be split between the following charities: Prostate Cancer UK, Marie Curie, Care Radio, and the three Armed Forces charities – the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, Army Benevolent Fund, and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
This initiative follows a similar fundraising drive for the race last year, during which £250,000 (€290,951/$355,654) was donated to charities. The upcoming Britannia Stakes will take place at Ascot Racecourse on 17 June.
“I am absolutely delighted that the Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) largest members are once again leading this fantastic initiative, which will raise vital funds for some of the country’s top charities,” said BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher.
Ascot Racecourse Managing Director Alastair Warwick added, “We are thrilled that the betting industry will once again be donating profits from the Britannia Stakes to these very worthy charities. Run on Gold Cup day, the Britannia Stakes is always one of the biggest betting heats of the week and extremely popular with punters, so 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.”
