Betting and Gaming Council reports that all proceeds from this year’s edition of Britannia Stakes will be distributed between UK-based charity groups. For the sixth year in a row, revenue from the renowned big-field heritage handicap race at Royal Ascot will aid good causes.
Background on the Event
The Britannia Stakes is a prestigious one-mile handicap race for three-year-old colts and geldings, held on Ladies’ Day at Royal Ascot. Known for its large, competitive field, the race has also become a major charity event, with bookmakers donating profits to good causes. It combines top-class racing with a significant fundraising impact.
Charities to Benefit from the Race
This year, the event will take place on June 19, 2025, and its proceeds will be distributed between the following organisations: Prostate Cancer UK, Missing People, the SAS Regimental Association, Ascot Racecourse Supports, Racing to School, Greenhouse Sports and TempusNovo.
Similar to previous years, all of this is possible after members of the Betting and Gaming Council, along with the racetrack, have agreed to partake in the fundraising initiative. These companies include Flutter, Entain, Evoke, Kindred, Betway, Rank Group, Virgin Bet, LiveScoreBet, Star Sports, and a few others.
The participating sports betting operators will donate all profits from win and each-way wagers on this world-class event, held this year on Royal Ascot’s Ladies Day, after taxes and the mandatory betting levy are deducted.
Just like previous editions, betting operators who do not make a profit from the race will make a combined donation of £200,000. The money will then be shared between the listed charity organisations.
Major Charity Contributor
Since the start of the charity initiative of Britannia Stakes, the event has managed to generate over £3m from BGC members. These funds were, of course, sent to a host of worthy causes.
According to the BGC, since 2019, its members have provided £6m to a selection of good causes, including health, sports, and veterans' charities. Some of these groups were the Prostate Cancer UK, Sue Ryder, NHS Charities Together, the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity, ABF the Soldier’s Charity and the RAF Benevolent Fund.
The Council is optimistic that this year’s initiative will be equally productive and that bettors can enjoy a race, where, if they lose, they still contribute to a social win.
Voices of Support
CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, Grainne Hurst, shared a few thoughts ahead of this year’s Britannia Stakes. She expressed her satisfaction that members of the organisation will again raise funds for a host of charities at the equine event
“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,” added Hurst.
Ascot Racecourse’s Chief Executive, Felicity Barnard, praised BGC on its charity initiative and declared her support for the plan.
“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,” explained Barnard.
Charities Appreciate the Effort
Laura Kerby, Chief Executive of Prostate Cancer UK, thanks the council and its members for the provided support. In her words, the gambling money will help the organisation fund lifesaving research and raise awareness about prostate cancer, which is the most common type of cancer among men.
“We’ve been proud to team up with them to raise more than half a million pounds through previous editions of the Britannia Stakes, and we're excited that funds raised this year will support our groundbreaking screening trial, TRANSFORM.”
Jo Youle OBE, Chief Executive of Missing People — another of the recipient organisations — also commented on the initiative. She elaborated that approximately 170,000 people disappear every year, which is why it’s key for her organisation to get enough financial aid and try to help those people.
“We can only do this with generous donations. That’s why we’re so grateful for the backing of the Betting and Gaming Council, their members, and everyone taking part in the Britannia Stakes,” she thanked.
The Positive Impact of the Gambling Industry
It’s no secret that the gambling industry can have a negative impact on people’s lives. However, it can bring in positives too. For instance, in the UK, betting shops have a major role in the local economy, providing around 46,000 jobs.
These locations also contribute to public finances, generating almost £1 billion a year in direct taxes to the Treasury. They also provide an additional £60 million in business rates to local councils, helping to fund vital local services.
The Bigger Picture: Gambling’s Economic Role
Nevertheless, by looking at the bigger picture, the whole regulated betting and gambling industry in the UK enables approximately 109,000 jobs. The sector generates a crucial £4 billion in taxes for the Exchequer and contributes a total of £6.8 billion annually to the economy.
Members of BGC are also prominent supporters of the country’s horseracing sport, delivering around £350 million each year through a combination of sponsorship deals, media rights payments, and the betting levy. These funds help sustain the equine racing sector, which is a leading market on the continent.
Meanwhile, sports betting remains a popular entertainment activity in Britain, as around 22.5 million adults, or almost half the population, place bets on sports every month. A recent survey from the NHS suggests that 0.4% of adults suffer from problem gambling. The industry is continuing to invest in safer gambling initiatives to help reduce these harms.
