UKGC Hits 100% Prompt Supplier Payment Target
FOI request reveals regulator paid all invoices on time for over two years, exceeding government targets.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission paid 100% of its supplier invoices within 30 days between April 2023 and June 2025. This performance exceeds the government's 95% target for public bodies and demonstrates a high level of operational efficiency.
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UKGC Achieves Perfect Prompt Payment Record
A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) successfully paid 100% of its supplier invoices within 30 days for the period from 1 April 2023 to 20 June 2025. This perfect record of prompt payment surpasses the UK government's own target for public bodies.
Context: Why Prompt Payments Matter
The UKGC, as the regulator for the British gambling industry, is a public body funded primarily by the licence fees paid by operators. Its financial conduct and operational efficiency are matters of public interest. The government's Prompt Payment Policy requires central government departments to aim to pay 95% of undisputed invoices within 30 days. The UKGC's performance not only meets but significantly exceeds this benchmark, demonstrating a high level of administrative competence.
Details of the FOI Request
The data was revealed following an FOI request submitted on 20 June 2025, which asked for a detailed list of any suppliers paid later than 30 days. The request sought specific details including supplier names, invoice values, and payment dates.
Initially, the Gambling Commission responded that it held "no information" falling within the scope of the request. This led the requester to ask for an internal review, pointing out that a similar request for previous years (2017-2023) had been fulfilled with detailed data on late payments.
The internal review, concluded in July 2025, clarified the initial response. The Commission upheld its decision that no information was held, explaining that this was because there had been zero instances of late payments during the specified period.
The review response stated: "After undertaking searches of Commission systems, it was confirmed that the Commission has achieved 100% payment of invoices within 30 days, during this time period... Therefore, no information is held falling within the scope of your request."
This contrasts with data from 2017 to 2023, when the Commission did have late payments to report. The latest data indicates a significant improvement in its payment processing efficiency.
Significance for the Industry
While the data relates to the UKGC's internal financial operations rather than its direct regulatory enforcement, it provides a key indicator of the organisation's efficiency. For consumers and industry stakeholders, this perfect payment record can bolster confidence in the regulator's overall operational management.
By exceeding the government's prompt payment target, the UKGC sets a strong example of financial discipline and accountability. This level of performance in its own back-office functions reflects positively on the organisation responsible for ensuring a fair and safe gambling market in the UK.