Over £3.6 million donated since inception, reinforcing the UK betting sector’s commitment to social responsibility
Sixth Year of Giving: Charities Benefit from Betting Profits at Royal Ascot
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has announced that its 2025 Britannia Stakes initiative has raised £450,000 ($612,000) for UK charities, with all profits from bets placed on the race donated by participating member companies. This marks the sixth consecutive year of the campaign, pushing total charitable contributions from the Britannia Stakes initiative to over £3.6 million since its launch in 2020.
Despite the financial blow to bookmakers from five favourites winning at Royal Ascot on race day, profits from win and each-way bets (after duties and levies) on the Britannia Stakes were directed toward a diverse group of charities. The victorious horse this year, Arabian Story, was ridden by renowned jockey Oisin Murphy, adding prestige to the event and increased public engagement.
Seven Charities Receive Support from BGC Members
This year’s £450,000 donation is being distributed among seven UK charities:
Prostate Cancer UK
Missing People
SAS Regimental Association
Ascot Racecourse Supports
Racing to School
Greenhouse Sports
Tempus Novo
Each charity covers a unique sector, from health to education and veteran reintegration, reflecting the BGC’s effort to impact a broad spectrum of community needs.
Participating BGC members included industry giants like Flutter, Entain, Evoke, Kindred, Betway, Virgin Bet, Rank Group, Star Sports, QuinnBet and LivescoreBet, with further assistance from Tote and Bet with Ascot.
Strengthening Industry Reputation Through Responsible Contributions
In an era where the gambling industry faces increased scrutiny and regulatory oversight, the BGC’s initiative serves as an example of how the sector can meaningfully contribute to social good.
Grainne Hurst, CEO of the BGC, emphasized the collaborative nature of the campaign:
“Together, we’ve now raised over £3.6m through the Britannia Stakes alone, and more than £6.5m overall. These substantial donations highlight the real commitment of the BGC and its members to supporting charities across sport, racing, health and the veteran community.”
The program reinforces the dual role of betting operators: not only as entertainment providers but also as stakeholders in corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Looking Ahead: Balancing Business and Social Impact
While the UK betting industry continues to adapt to evolving regulations and public perceptions, initiatives like the Britannia Stakes fund demonstrate an ongoing effort to integrate philanthropy into the fabric of gambling operations. The BGC’s partnership with Ascot and its network of licensed operators provides a replicable model for charity-focused promotions, fostering public goodwill and addressing industry challenges proactively.
With annual contributions expected to grow and further diversify, the Britannia Stakes initiative could become a flagship CSR campaign not only for the UK, but as an international example of how gambling and social good can coexist.
