BGC Warns £8 Million Could Be Staked With Illegal Operators During St Leger Festival

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned that approximately £8 million was expected to be wagered with illegal gambling operators during the 2026 Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster, including an estimated £2 million on the St Leger itself.

The industry body issued its warning as British racing celebrated the 250th anniversary of the St Leger, the world's oldest Classic horse race. First contested in 1776, the event predates the Derby by four years and remains the final leg of the British Triple Crown.

More than 30,000 racegoers were expected to attend Doncaster Racecourse for St Leger Day on Saturday, 12 September, with the BGC warning that the popularity of major racing festivals also creates opportunities for illegal betting operators to attract customers.

Illegal Betting Raises Concerns Over Racing Revenue

The BGC estimates that £8 million could have been staked through illegal gambling websites across the festival, although the organisation has not provided a detailed methodology for the calculation. The figure represents an estimate of betting activity rather than a confirmed measurement of wagers placed.

The trade association argues that gambling operators targeting British customers without the required UK Gambling Commission licence undermine the regulated market by avoiding domestic taxation and making no direct contribution to British horseracing through the mechanisms that apply to licensed bookmakers.

Licensed betting operators must comply with regulatory requirements covering age verification, anti-money laundering and safer gambling measures. Operators targeting British consumers without the necessary authorisation are not subject to the same regulatory oversight, potentially exposing customers to additional risks.

The BGC has repeatedly raised concerns about the growth of illegal gambling in Britain, arguing that restrictions and increasing costs affecting licensed operators could encourage some customers to seek alternatives outside the regulated market.

BGC Highlights £350 Million Annual Racing Contribution

Grainne Hurst, Chief Executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said:

“The 250th anniversary of the St Leger is an extraordinary milestone and a chance to celebrate one of the great institutions of British horse racing.

“But major sporting occasions also attract criminal gambling operators looking to exploit the excitement and interest they generate. Millions of pounds are expected to be staked with illegal operators across the St Leger meeting, with those businesses contributing nothing to racing, paying no UK tax and offering customers none of the protections that exist in the regulated market.”

The BGC estimates that its members contribute more than £350 million annually to British horseracing, supporting employment and the wider racing industry through their commercial relationship with the sport.

Hurst added:

“Betting and racing have enjoyed a close and historic partnership for generations, with BGC members contributing more than £350m to British horseracing every year and supporting thousands of jobs and livelihoods across the sport.”

Industry Calls For Stronger Action Against Illegal Gambling

The warning comes amid an ongoing debate over how Britain can maintain consumer protections while ensuring that customers continue to use licensed betting operators rather than unauthorised alternatives.

The BGC maintains that a competitive regulated market is essential to protecting customers, preserving tax receipts and maintaining the financial relationship between betting and British horseracing. Its position is that enforcement against illegal operators must be accompanied by a regulatory environment that allows licensed businesses to retain customers.

Hurst concluded:

“As we celebrate 250 years of the St Leger, we must also make sure the regulated market which supports British racing remains strong and competitive, while doing everything possible to stop the criminal black market gaining further ground.”

The £8 million estimate has not been presented as a verified total following the festival, but the BGC's warning highlights its continuing concerns about illegal betting activity surrounding major British sporting events.