UKGC Can't List Active Lottery Retailers

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Regulator Unable to Provide List of Active Lottery Outlets

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is unable to produce a definitive list of all currently active National Lottery retailers. The regulator stated that while it holds data on retailers, it cannot separate active locations from mere applicants.

This admission highlights a significant gap in the data held by the body responsible for overseeing the UK National Lottery, raising questions about transparency and the completeness of its records.

The Request for Transparency

On 24 July 2023, a request was submitted under the Freedom of Information Act for a complete list of all active UK National Lottery retailers. The request sought basic information for each location, including:

• Business name
• Full street address
• City and postal code
• Optional details like store hours and retailer type

The goal was to obtain a clear, public record of the thousands of locations where consumers can purchase National Lottery products.

What the Response Reveals

The Gambling Commission denied the request, stating that the information was not held in the format requested. In its official response, the UKGC explained the issue:

"I can confirm that the Gambling Commission does hold a spreadsheet containing the information you have requested, however, this spreadsheet is not a list of only currently active UK National Lottery retailers. The information we do hold includes any retailer who has submitted an application to Camelot UK Lotteries to become a retailer; they may never become an ‘active retailer’. Based on the information we hold, we are unable to separate this information..."

This means the regulator's master list is a mix of active stores, stores that are no longer retailers, and businesses that applied but were never approved. The Commission's confirmation that it is "unable to separate this information" is the key finding.

Why This Matters for Consumers

For consumers, a definitive public list of licensed retailers provides an important layer of protection and transparency. It allows individuals to verify that a local shop is an authorised seller and helps researchers and local authorities understand the footprint of gambling retail in their communities.

The regulator's inability to produce this list means there is no single, official source for this information outside of the National Lottery operator's own commercial tools, such as its website's store finder.

The revelation points to a potential weakness in the data management practices concerning the National Lottery's vast retail network. As the UKGC oversees the transition of the National Lottery licence to a new operator, the quality and accessibility of its regulatory data are of paramount importance for ensuring effective oversight and public trust.