UKGC Discloses Contract Framework Details

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UKGC Releases Procurement Data Following FOI Request

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has provided details on its procurement processes for several service contracts, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) request filed on 5 September 2025. The disclosure sheds light on how the regulator sources external services necessary for its operations.

Context: Why Procurement Matters

As the body responsible for regulating gambling in Great Britain, the UKGC is a public organisation funded primarily by the licence fees paid by gambling operators. How it spends this money—whether on research, IT systems, legal advice, or other professional services—is a matter of public interest. Transparency in its procurement allows for scrutiny, ensuring that the Commission is using its resources effectively to protect consumers and maintain a fair gambling market.

Details of the Disclosure

The FOI request sought to identify the specific procurement frameworks used for six potential 'call-off' contracts. In public sector procurement, a framework agreement is an overarching arrangement with a list of pre-approved suppliers for goods and services. A 'call-off' is a smaller, specific contract placed under the terms of that larger framework.

The requester noted they could not find details of the frameworks and asked the UKGC to clarify the procurement method for each of the six contracts.

In response, the Commission confirmed a "Full disclosure," providing the requester with a spreadsheet containing the names of the specific framework agreements used. While the spreadsheet itself was not published on the UKGC's disclosure log, the response confirms that the information was supplied.

This means the UKGC has clarified how it sourced services for these specific contracts, specifying whether they were:

• Called off from a large, pre-existing government framework (e.g., from Crown Commercial Service).
• Procured directly without a framework.
• Part of a new framework agreement being established.

Significance for the Industry

This disclosure, while technical, is a small but important piece of the transparency puzzle. It demonstrates that the UKGC is accountable for its spending and procurement decisions under the Freedom of Information Act.

By using established public sector frameworks, the Commission can potentially access services more efficiently and at competitive rates. Understanding which frameworks are used gives insight into the types of external expertise the UKGC relies on to fulfil its regulatory duties, from data analysis to specialist consulting.

For consumers, this level of oversight helps ensure that the funds intended for regulating the industry are being spent transparently and in a manner that supports the Commission's core mission of making gambling safer.