BGC’s Grand National Charity Bet Campaign Raises Thousands for UK Causes
Charitable organizations across the UK have reaped the rewards of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) Grand National Charity Bet campaign, which has successfully raised over £15,000 for various causes.
More than 50 parliamentarians participated in placing charity bets on Saturday’s Grand National event, with major betting operators in the UK generously contributing all winnings to the charity of choice designated by the MPs.
The winning horse, 7/1 favorite I am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, owned by JP McManus, and trained by the esteemed Willie Mullins, secured victory. This win for a Mullins-trained horse comes nine years after Hedge Hunter’s triumph in 2015.
Among the parliamentarians who backed the winning horse were Christian Wakeford MP, Maria Caulfield MP, Justin Tomlinson MP, Greg Smith MP, Peter Aldous MP, Preet Gill MP, and Liam Kerr MSP. Additionally, Bob Blackman MP secured success with an each-way bet by supporting Ain’t That A Shame, which finished sixth.
The campaign’s proceeds benefited a variety of organizations, including Sir Jackie Stewart’s Race for Dementia, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, and The Fed – a social care charity for the Greater Manchester Jewish Community.
Notable MPs who participated included Sir Alok Sharma, Dame Caroline Nokes, Scotland Minister John Lamont, Shadow Gambling Minister Stephanie Peacock MP, and Shadow Defence Secretary John Healey MP.
Michael Dugher, the BGC’s chief executive, said: “600 million people from all over the world tuned in to watch one of the best Grand Nationals ever, including millions in the UK on ITV. An estimated 12 million people in the UK – roughly a third of adults – enjoyed a bet on the National showing once again that for millions of us having a flutter is part of our great British culture.
“I want to pay tribute to all the thousands of people who work in betting shops to help support hard-pressed high streets and local economies. I would like to thank all those MPs who took part for supporting so many fantastic good causes and for taking the time to visit constituents working in betting shops. We had more MPs than ever before, from right across the political divide, ministers and shadow ministers, supporting the BGC and supporting the Grand National. I would like to thank all of our members for once again supporting the initiative”.
