Grahame Morris MP has backed the Betting and Gaming Council’s Charity Bet on the Grand National.

Grahame Morris MP visited his local William Hill shop in Seaham to place a £50 charity bet on the 2023 Grand National, with all the winnings going to a charity of their choice.

And even if their horse doesn’t come in, BGC members will be making a donation to their nominated charity, ensuring charities don’t miss out.

The Betting and Gaming Council, the standards body for the regulated UK betting and gaming industry, invited MPs to visit either a Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfred or independent betting shop in their constituency to place their charity bet ahead of the world’s greatest steeplechase.

The Grand National is the most popular horse race in the world and this year takes place on Saturday 15th April. It is watched by around 600 million people across 140 countries, and it is estimated over 13m adults in the UK will be placing a bet on it.

Betting shops support 42,000 jobs on the UK’s hard-pressed high streets, contribute £800 million a year in tax to the Treasury and another £60m in business rates to local councils.

Meanwhile, a study by ESA Retail found that 89 per cent of betting shop customers combine their trip to the bookies with visits to other local businesses.

Grahame Morris MP said:

“The Grand National is one of those great sporting moments when the whole nation comes together. I was delighted to visit my local betting shop to meet the staff and customers, take William Hill up on their generous offer of a charity bet and also discuss the incredibly important work they have been doing on safer gambling.

“Betting shops employ tens of thousands on hard-pressed high streets and support our local economy through business rates contributions. And for regulars, they provide a community. I was delighted to visit and hear more about their place in our constituency.”

Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, stated:

“I would like to thank Grahame Morris for taking the time to visit William Hill and take part in the BGC’s charity bet on the Grand National.

“The Grand National is the nation’s punt, one of the few times a year, millions of people from every different backgrounds come together for a flutter and for the first time in three years, bookies will be open and taking customer’s bets.

“Betting shops support tens of thousands of jobs, bring vital revenue to the UK’s hard-pressed high streets and support the national and local economies through tax and business rates. They also provide community to millions of betting and gaming fans.

“We’re delighted Grahame has visited his local bookies to hear about how our members are boosting local economies, and hear about their vital work promoting safer play. On behalf of the Betting and Gaming Council, we wish him the best of luck.”

According to industry research conducted by the Betting and Gaming Council approximately £250m will be staked on the main event. The Grand National is expected to generate £3m in tax revenues for the Treasury and £2m in horse racing levy to support the sport.

• The Betting and Gaming Council is the standards body representing the regulated betting and gaming industry and is committed to driving change and promoting safer gambling.

• BGC members support 110,000 jobs, generate £4.2bn in tax and contribute £7.1bn to the economy in gross value added.

• The Grand National takes place on Saturday 15th April 2023 at 5.15pm.

• Racing supports 85,000 jobs and contributes £3.5 billion to the economy, with the Grand National being one of the stand-out fixtures in the UK’s sporting landscape.

• BGC Members Paddy Power, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and Betfred have all united to support this initiative.

• Any winnings will be paid to a charity of the MP’s choice. In the event that their horse loses, BGC Members will still make a donation to a charity of the MP’s choice.