Guy Opperman MP News: Guy Opperman Charity Bet on the Grand National.
Guy Opperman MP and Prudhoe South County Councillor Gordon Stewart visited the Ladbrokes shop in Prudhoe to place a £50 charity bet on the 2022 Grand National, with all the winnings going to Tynedale Hospice at Home and the Injured Jockeys Fund.
And even if their horse didn’t come in, BGC members will be making a £100 donation to their nominated charities, 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.
This is the first year since 2019 betting shops have been open on Grand National day.
Due to the Covid pandemic betting shops on hard-pressed high streets across the nation were closed during the Grand National in 2021 while in 2020, the Grand National took the form of a virtual race.
It was hugely successful in its own right, with betting companies raising £2.9 million for NHS Charities Together.
Betting shops support 46,000 jobs on the UK’s hard-pressed high streets, contribute £1bn 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.
Guy Opperman MP said:
‘The Grand National is one of those great sporting moments when the whole nation comes together.
I was delighted to visit Ladbrokes in Prudhoe to meet the staff and customers, take them up on their generous offer of a charity bet and also discuss the incredibly important work they have been doing on safer gambling.’
Cllr Gordon Stewart said:
‘What amazing friendly and knowledgeable staff.
One great cause that will benefit will be the Tynedale Hospice at Home located directly opposite.’
Michael Dugher, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, stated:
‘I would like to thank Guy and Gordon for taking the time to visit Ladbrokes in Prudhoe 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 were open and taking customer’s bets.’