Fundraising Event by BGC Yields £15,000 for Charity
Let's Talk About the BGC's Grand National Charity Bet Fundraiser
The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) kicked off its annual charity campaign with a bang, raising a staggering £15,115 ($18,822) for charities - a near 40% boost from last year! The showpiece race at Aintree Racecourse served as the perfect platform for this noble cause.
Over 50, yes, you heard that right, 50 Members of Parliament (MPs) got in on the action by placing charity bets on the world-famous steeplechase race. Notable operators like Coral, Paddy Power, Betfred, William Hill, and Ladbrokes, as well as independent firms Corbett Bookmakers and JenningsBet, joined the race, with all winnings being donated to the designated charities chosen by each MP. Even the less fortunate charities can expect a minimum donation of £250 ($311).
MPs like Justin Tomlinson, Christian Wakeford, Maria Caulfield, Preet Gill, Greg Smith, Peter Aldous, and Liam Kerr all placed their bets on the race winner, I am Maximus. The MPs even made their bets in-person in their respective constituencies.
Some of the charities set to receive donations from this yearly campaign include the Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Fed (a social care provider for the Jewish community in Greater Manchester), and Sir Jackie Stewart's Race Against Dementia.
The +40% increase from last year's charity drive, which returned nearly £11,000 ($13,500) to good causes, was celebrated by BGC's chief executive, Michael Dugher. Dugher commended both the retail staff and the MPs for their exceptional efforts, praising the significant number of MPs from all political sides joining the BGC and supporting the Grand National.
Apparently, around 12 million people in the UK participated in betting on the Grand National, yet again cementing the tradition as an integral part of British culture.
Interestingly, last week saw the BGC appoint Grainne Hurst as its new chief executive officer. Betting and gaming are a vital component of the UK's vibrant leisure and entertainment industry, accounting for approximately £3.2 billion ($3.89 billion) in taxes for the UK Exchequer, contributing £7.1 billion ($8.84 billion) to the economy, and supporting around 110,000 jobs.
The first Grand National race was held in 1839 at Aintree. Today, the race spans over four miles and 514 yards, and Red Rum continues to hold the record for the most wins with victories in 1973, 1974, and 1977.
In the spirit of the BGC's Grand National Charity Bet Fundraiser, sports betting was a significant part of the event, with notable operators like Coral, Paddy Power, Betfred, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Corbett Bookmakers, and JenningsBet participating. (casino-and-gambling, sports, sports-betting)
Several MPs, such as Justin Tomlinson, Christian Wakeford, Maria Caulfield, Preet Gill, Greg Smith, Peter Aldous, and Liam Kerr, displayed their interest in sports by placing bets on the race, demonstrating that sports betting can be integrated into charitable activities. (casino-and-gambling, sports, sports-betting)
