Queen Elizabeth II sadly passed away at the age of ninety-six on the 8th of September 2022, and many industries immediately came out to pay their respects and tributes to the late monarch, one of which being the gambling sector. The Queen, who was highly respected around the world, has since been laid to rest at St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in British history, reigning from the 6th of February 1952 until the day she died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. Her oldest son now takes her place as the sovereign, with King Charles III, aged seventy-three, and the oldest heir to the throne to then take charge, officially confirmed as her successor.
As you will expect, it was many of the companies operating within the UK gambling industry that wanted to pay tribute to the Queen on her passing, with Entain, formerly GVC Holdings, who own leading brand PartyCasino, one of the first to tweet their condolences paying their respects at the sad news. And they weren’t alone in doing so.
The Queen, renowned for her love of horses, held patron positions with the Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and the British Horseracing Authority released a statement paying tribute to her after many years dedicated to the sport, and as the figurehead of Royal Ascot.
“The BHA extends our heartfelt condolences to the royal family and all those affected by this sad news,” BHA chair Joe Saumarez Smith said. “Racing owes an incalculable debt of gratitude, not only for her majesty’s dedication and commitment to the sport but for her public advocacy of it, something that doubtless has driven the sport’s popularity and attracted a great number of fans.”
“There will be many who work in racing who have enjoyed relationships with Her Majesty through the training and breeding of her horses and will be grieving.
“Our thoughts are with them, and of course, the sympathies of all associated with racing are with Her Majesty the Queen’s family on this sad day.”
Bookmaker William Hill, who are based in London, also issued a statement after news of the Queen’s death broke,
We’re saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Queen Elizabeth II, our longest reigning monarch, has been an important and steadfast figurehead during times of massive change.”
The gambling industry and those connected to it, such as the BHA and others, have, in a way, all had Royal connections directly or indirectly over the years, as have businesses from other sectors, who all came out to pay their respects at the sad news. The Queen’s reach has always been great, and her legacy will live on, primarily through horse racing, which is one of the most gambled-on sports in the UK, Ireland and beyond. It’s why so many operators have been keen to pay their respects from the sports betting world.
