1 April 2020
Announcement from the Betting and Gaming Council:
NHS the big winner in Virtual Grand National
The UK’s biggest betting operators are lining up to ensure the NHS is the big winner at this year’s Virtual Grand National.
Major betting operators have today confirmed that all profits from the race will be donated to NHS Charities Together, the umbrella organisation which represents over 140 NHS charities. Collectively, these charities contribute £1 million a day to support the work of our NHS.
The initiative has the backing of Betting and Gaming Council members including GVC, bet365, William Hill, Flutter Entertainment, Sky Bet, BetFred, Betway, BetVictor, JenningsBet, Tote and Inspired Entertainment.
BGC Chief Executive Michael Dugher said: “With the UK understandably and rightly in lockdown, unfortunately the Grand National can’t take place however; the virtual Grand National will be the closest we can get to creating one of those moments when we can all come together in celebration, not just for the world’s greatest sporting events, but for the NHS heroes working on the front line to keep us all safe.
“I am delighted that our members have stepped up in this way to support the national effort to combat COVID-19 by contributing all of their race profits to NHS Charities Together. Millions of us love a flutter on the Grand National. For many, it’s the only time of the year they place a bet. This year, the big winner will be our NHS.”
The offer comes days after the BGC launched a 10 pledge action plan in response to the COVID-19 crisis which includes a commitment by members to support the Government’s ‘National Effort’ by encouraging staff to volunteer for community service, as well as offering premises where possible for use by those supporting the effort to tackle the Coronavirus.
As this is a one-off we have agreed with NHS Charities Together that stakes will be limited to £10 per horse per customer for the event or £10 each way per horse. In addition, the Tote will be providing a pool on the race and donating profits to charity.
For production purposes and in agreement with the UK Gambling Commission this event has been pre-recorded by a production company on behalf of ITV and as a result of which a small number of operational people will know the outcome of the event. All of these individuals are subject to strict confidentiality obligations. In line with strict Gambling Regulations no licensed betting operator is party to this information.
The virtual Grand National, which is Produced by Carm Productions in partnership with Inspired Entertainment, will be shown on ITV on Saturday 4 April at 5.00pm.
Ends