Betting on the Grand National Is Possible Again after a Break of 3 Years

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: April 11, 2022

On Saturday, April 9th, many gambling lovers were able to place bets on the Grand National. Something like this happens for the very first time in the last 3 years. During the Grand National in 2021, betting venues in the main streets all through the nation were not operating because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Grand National in 2020 was executed in a virtual format race.

However, shops have reopened, and gambling experts predict that the “nation’s punt” will have a very successful year. Below are statistics from the study made by the Gaming and Betting Council before the Grand National:

• The Grand National is expected to bring in £2 million in horse racing fees to support the sport and £3 million in tax revenues for the Treasury.
• 13 million individuals in the United Kingdom will be able to wager on the Grand National
• An approximate £250 million will bet on the main event. This amounts to about 2.5% of all yearly horse racing bets.
• About half of the total wagers will occur in bookies – about 1,000 bets per bookie.

The Impact of Betting Shops

On the UK’s main streets, betting shops are places where over 46,000 have their jobs. These shops also contribute £60 million in business rates to local authorities and another £1 billion annually in tax to the Treasury.

Meanwhile, according to an ESA Retail study, 89% of sports bettors merge their visits to the betting shops with trips to other types of businesses in the area.

People from more than 100 different nations were able to watch the Grand National this year, and millions were able to wager on it for the very first time. The race this year, which was held at Aintree racecourse in Liverpool, the first race occurred in 1839. This year, it took place during the biggest shakeup in the regulated gaming and betting industry.

The BGC Warning to Ministers

The CEO of the Betting and Gaming Council, Michael Dugher, warned ministers against making changes that can affect the regulated gaming and betting industry. He said, “It’s fantastic that bookies are once again open on high streets, but there could be a sting in the tail next year if anti-gambling prohibitionists get their way.”

According to research carried out, punters would not respond well if they were made to show affordability proofs or undermined their experience as a client with a ban on offers and promotions. A study found that 95% of gamblers don’t want to divulge bank information for betting purposes, and 86% felt that checks like these would push gambling underground. However, this would go a long way to help protect those in the poorest of communities, especially in places like Birmingham with their Bookie Belt.

In the coming weeks, a White Paper is expected to outline the Government’s proposed revision of the Gambling Act, but the BGC has encouraged the Government to realize the wide usage of betting and its unique role in national culture. They also urged the Government to address the concerns of gamblers and save the jobs of people who are working in the gambling industry.