UK Gambling Sector Reacts to Death of Queen Elizabeth II
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After reigning for more than 70 years and earning the title of the UK’s longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has passed away at her Scottish estate in Balmoral. Media companies announced the news that she died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at 96 years of age. All of her children traveled to the estate to say their goodbyes.
a 10-day period of mourning
Following her passing, the UK will see a 10-day period of mourning before the Queen’s funeral can take place. Her son, now King Charles III, will address the nation on Friday. His coronation will not take place for some months after the accession.
Many within the gambling industry have reacted to the death of the Queen, sharing their respect for the long-serving monarch and well wishes to the Royal Family. Flutter Entertainment, the owner of Paddy Power and Sky Betting and Gaming, was one of the first to share its condolences via LinkedIn:
Other industry messages
In a similar vein to Flutter, other UK-based gambling companies and industry bodies took to their socials Thursday to address the news. Rank Group, the owner of Grosvenor Casinos and Mecca venues, said it was “deeply saddened” by the Queen’s passing:
Meanwhile, the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC), which serves as a single industry body for the UK betting and gaming sector, also shared a tribute on LinkedIn. BGC boss Michael Dugher described the monarch as “an unwavering and enduring presence in all of our lives:”
UK-based sportsbook operator Betfred even took its tribute one step further by closing its retail betting shops, which will also remain shuttered for the entirety of Friday. The firm’s Betfred Help Twitter page shared the news:
A love of horseracing
As noted by Dugher of the BGC, Queen Elizabeth II had ties to the gaming industry through her passion for horseracing. She attended countless races and bred multiple successful horses, clocking up 1,800 winners in her time. In a 1974 BBC documentary, she summed up her view on racing:
I enjoy breeding a horse that is faster than other people’s.”
The Queen was canonized in the British Champions Series Hall of Fame as a “special contributor” to the sport of horse racing just last year.
In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the British Horseracing Authority said: “All of British Racing is in mourning today following the passing of Her Majesty the Queen.” The horseracing body deemed her “one of the greatest and most influential supporters in the history of horseracing.”
Officials suspended racing in the UK on Thursday following the death announcement. The BHA has announced that it has also canceled the meetings scheduled for Friday.
