St Leger Marks 250 Years As The BGC Warns Over Illegal Betting Operators At The Doncaster Meeting

British racing marked one of its great milestones this week, and the Betting and Gaming Council used the occasion to renew its warning about illegal operators. On 14 September 2026, as the sport celebrated 250 years of the St Leger, the BGC said around £8m was forecast to be staked with illegal betting operators across the Doncaster meeting, including roughly £2m on the St Leger itself.

250 years of the St Leger at Doncaster Racecourse

First run in 1776, the St Leger predates the Derby by four years and remains the final leg of the British Triple Crown, making it the world’s oldest Classic. This year’s landmark running took place at Doncaster Racecourse on Saturday, with more than 30,000 racegoers expected on St Leger Day alone. While racing fans celebrated the milestone, the BGC said illegal gambling operators were also expected to target customers and profit from the huge interest surrounding the meeting.

£8m forecast staked with illegal betting operators

The Betting and Gaming Council forecast that around £8m would be staked with illegal operators across the meeting, with about £2m of that on the St Leger. Unlike licensed betting firms, black market operators sit entirely outside UK regulation. They offer none of the safeguards and consumer protections required in the regulated sector, pay no UK tax and make no contribution to British horseracing. The warning came amid growing evidence of the scale of illegal gambling in Britain.

Grainne Hurst on the St Leger and the black market threat

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 horseracing.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

How licensed betting operators protect customers

All betting operators licensed in Britain must comply with strict regulatory standards, including age-verification checks, anti-money laundering requirements and a wide range of safer gambling measures. By contrast, illegal gambling operators sit entirely outside those rules and provide no meaningful safeguards or guarantees for customers.

Source: Betting and Gaming Council