BGC’s £30,000 Donation to Tempus Novo Helps Prisoners Reintegrate into the Workforce
Members of the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) have donated £30,000 to the charity Tempus Novo as part of a broader £450,000 contribution from the Britannia Stakes charity race at Royal Ascot. The funding supports initiatives that help former prisoners find employment and rebuild their lives, reducing reoffending and promoting rehabilitation.
Supporting Rehabilitation Through Employment
Tempus Novo, one of seven charities to receive funding from this year’s Britannia Stakes proceeds, is dedicated to helping individuals with criminal convictions reintegrate into society by securing meaningful work opportunities. Steve Freer, CEO of Tempus Novo, emphasized the tangible results of the partnership:
“The funding we’ve received is making a tangible, lasting impact. Every penny is helping to drive transformational change in the criminal justice system by supporting people with convictions into sustainable employment. This is critical work – without these opportunities, many are left with little choice but to return to crime upon release.”
Freer added that the charity is witnessing real change:
“Thanks to this support, we’re seeing lives changed, futures rebuilt, and a real shift in how rehabilitation can work in practice.”
Breaking the Cycle of Reoffending
Many individuals leaving prison face significant barriers to rebuilding their lives, including unemployment, social stigma, and lack of opportunity.
By connecting former prisoners with training and job placements, Tempus Novo aims to break this cycle and provide a path toward stability and self-sufficiency. Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme MP Lee Pitcher, who recently visited HMP Hatfield to see Tempus Novo’s work firsthand, praised the initiative:
“It is massively important that organisations like Tempus Novo have that support from organisations like the BGC. It helps give people hope and it starts to change lives and everybody deserves that second chance.”
Industry-wide Contribution to Social Impact
The Britannia Stakes charity initiative, organized by the Betting and Gaming Council, brought together several leading operators, including Flutter (Paddy Power, Betfair, Sky Bet), Entain (Ladbrokes, Coral), Evoke (888 William Hill), Kindred (Unibet), Betway, Rank Group (Grosvenor Sport), Virgin Bet, LivescoreBet, Star Sports, and QuinnBet, with additional support from Tote and Bet with Ascot.
Their combined efforts generated £450,000 in total donations, distributed among Tempus Novo and six other charities, such as Prostate Cancer UK and Missing People.The partnership showcases how the betting industry can contribute positively to society by supporting initiatives that promote inclusion, rehabilitation, and social progress.