LONDON – 8th April 2016 – Worldpay, the global leader in payments, is predicting the biggest Grand National ever for online bookmakers, as punters hedge their bets on the biggest race in the British horseracing calendar.

Spending data from the 2015 event revealed that Britain’s bookies saw a phenomenal 84% increase in online betting activity and a 63% spike in total betting value compared with the week before the event.*

In the wake of one of the most successful Cheltenham Festivals ever for punters,** Worldpay expects an even greater surge this weekend, as racing fans feel encouraged by their recent pay-outs. And with so many of these winnings sitting in online betting accounts ready for the next flutter, existing customers are likely to bet more than usual in the hope of winning big. This year’s Grand National is scheduled for its latest start time ever, meaning fans have a better opportunity to watch the race and even more time to place their bets online.

Karl MacGregor, Vice President Gambling, Global eCommerce, at Worldpay said: