UKGC Comms Team: 18 Staff, Zero in Marketing

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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) employs an 18-person communications team, with a notable absence of any staff in a dedicated marketing function.

The data, disclosed following a request dated 6 January 2025, provides a transparent look into the regulator's communication priorities. The figures show a clear emphasis on policy and media engagement over promotional activities.

Why This Matters

For consumers, the structure of a regulator's communications department indicates its primary focus. A team geared towards public affairs and press relations, rather than marketing, reinforces the UKGC's role as an impartial enforcement and licensing body. This structure suggests its resources are directed at influencing policy, engaging with lawmakers, and managing its public profile through the media—all core functions for an organisation overseeing the gambling industry and protecting consumers.

Breakdown of the Data

The FOI response confirmed a total headcount of 18 in the Commission's communications team. This top-level figure is inclusive of a Director of Communications, who is an executive member, and one Personal Assistant.

Within that total, the UKGC provided a specific breakdown for key disciplines:

• Public Affairs: 6 staff
• Press Office: 3 staff
• Marketing: 0 staff

The nine staff members across these specified functions represent half of the total team. The remaining nine individuals include the Director, their PA, and seven other employees in unspecified communications roles, which could include internal communications, digital content, or policy communications.

Significance and Implications

The allocation of resources provides insight into the Commission's operational strategy. With six members of staff, the public affairs function is the largest specified discipline within the team. This team is responsible for liaising with Parliament, government departments, and other stakeholders to navigate and influence the legislative landscape that shapes gambling regulation.

The complete absence of a marketing department is significant. It demonstrates that the UKGC operates purely as a non-commercial, public-service body. Its communication objective is not to attract customers or promote services, but to inform the public, engage with the industry it regulates, and hold operators to account.

For consumers and industry observers, this staffing profile confirms the UKGC's focus remains on the legal and political frameworks governing gambling in Great Britain, a crucial area of activity amid the ongoing implementation of reforms from the government's Gambling Act review.