UKGC Boosts Comms Budget by Nearly 20%
FOI data shows a significant rise in non-staff spending, signalling a push for greater public engagement ahead of regulatory reforms.
The UK Gambling Commission increased its communications budget by nearly 19% to over £645,000 for the 2022/23 financial year. The rise is driven by a 139% increase in non-staff costs, suggesting a focus on external campaigns and public messaging ahead of major regulatory reforms.
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Regulator Increases Spending on Public Messaging
The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) increased its communications budget by nearly 19% for the 2022/23 financial year, with total planned spending rising to over £645,000. The data, released following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, indicates a strategic shift towards more robust public and media engagement.
According to the disclosure from 20 December 2022, the regulator's total communications budget for 2022/23 was set at £645,107.77. This represents a significant increase from the £542,527.65 spent in the previous financial year, 2021/22.
Why This Matters to Consumers
An increased communications budget allows the UKGC to be more proactive in its public messaging. For consumers, this can translate into:
- Greater Awareness: More visible campaigns about safer gambling tools and the risks associated with gambling.
- Improved Transparency: Clearer communication regarding regulatory actions, fines issued to operators, and changes in gambling laws.
- Better Information: Enhanced resources on the UKGC website and social media channels, helping consumers understand their rights and how to gamble more safely.
This spending increase occurred during a period of intense scrutiny of the gambling industry and in anticipation of the UK Government's Gambling Act Review White Paper, suggesting the regulator was preparing to manage communications around significant policy changes.
A Breakdown of the Numbers
The FOI response provides a detailed breakdown of the Commission's communications spending and budget. The most notable change is in 'Non-Staff Costs'.
Comms & Public Affairs Spending 2021/22:
- Staff Costs: £464,427.36
- Non-Staff Costs: £78,100.29
- Total: £542,527.65
Comms & Public Affairs Budget 2022/23:
- Staff Costs: £457,917.63
- Non-Staff Costs: £187,190.14
- Total: £645,107.77
While the budget for staff costs saw a slight decrease, the allocation for non-staff costs surged by over 139%. This category typically includes expenditure on external agencies, public awareness campaigns, website development, and media monitoring services.
The disclosure also revealed a planned increase in the communications team's headcount, from 13.41 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff in December 2022 to a forecast of 14.41 by the end of the financial year in March 2023.
Industry Significance
The significant boost in the UKGC's communications budget signals an intent to adopt a more visible and assertive public profile. By investing heavily in non-staff resources, the regulator is equipping itself to better inform the public, manage its reputation, and communicate the impact of its regulatory work. For consumers and the industry alike, this points to a regulator focused on enhancing its role as a public-facing organisation.