UKGC Confirms It Does Not Hold Individual Gambler Data
FOI response reveals regulator is planning a new data collection pilot to gain deeper insights into player behaviour.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not currently hold detailed, individual-level data on player activity. The regulator is planning a new pilot, the Regular Feed of Operator Core Data (ROCD), to begin collecting this information from a small number of operators.
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UKGC Lacks Detailed Player Data, New Pilot Announced
A Freedom of Information (FOI) response has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not currently hold detailed, individual-level data on online gambling activity. The disclosure highlights a significant gap in the regulator's ability to directly analyse player behaviour and potential harms.
The request, dated 7 March 2025, was submitted by an academic researcher seeking anonymised data to better understand gambling patterns. The UKGC's response confirmed that the information was "not held."
Why This Data Matters
Detailed player data is considered the gold standard for understanding gambling behaviour and its associated risks. The information requested by the researcher included:
- Anonymous User IDs: To track individual activity over time.
- Timestamps: Including session duration and login frequency, which can be indicators of harmful play.
- Betting Activity: Data on bet types, amounts, and win/loss outcomes.
- Financial Transactions: Details on deposits and withdrawals, which are crucial for affordability assessments.
Without direct access to this data, the regulator relies more heavily on information supplied by operators. Direct access would allow the UKGC to conduct its own independent analysis to verify operator practices and identify emerging trends in gambling harm.
A New Data Collection System: ROCD
While the UKGC confirmed it does not currently hold this data, the FOI response revealed plans for a significant new initiative. The Commission is designing a pilot programme for a "Regular Feed of Operator Core Data" (ROCD).
According to the UKGC, this pilot will involve collecting a "more detailed daily dataset" from a "small number of operators." The stated goal is to enable the regulator to conduct "more in depth analyses of consumer play data to explore the impact of a range of factors on gambling behaviour."
This marks a strategic shift towards more direct and granular data collection, moving the UKGC closer to having the kind of comprehensive overview sought by researchers and consumer protection advocates.
Significance for Consumers and the Industry
The FOI response reveals two key points. Firstly, the regulator's current evidence base for policy and enforcement may be less detailed than many consumers assume. Secondly, the industry is on notice that the UKGC is actively working to change this.
The ROCD pilot, if successful and expanded, would equip the Commission with powerful new tools for evidence-based regulation. It could lead to more targeted interventions, more effective player protection measures, and a greater ability to hold operators accountable for the safety of their customers.
However, the UKGC noted that even when this data is collected in the future, its release under FOI requests is not guaranteed, as other exemptions could apply.