UKGC EDI Staffing Doubles in One Year
FOI data shows the regulator's dedicated diversity and inclusion team grew from zero to two in two years.
A Freedom of Information request reveals the UK Gambling Commission has expanded its Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) team from zero staff in 2021-22 to two in 2023-24. This data indicates a growing formal focus on EDI within the UK's gambling regulator.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has significantly expanded its dedicated Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) staffing over the last two financial years.
Data released following a request dated 17 February 2025 shows the regulator employed zero dedicated EDI staff in the 2021-22 financial year. This grew to a team of two by the 2023-24 financial year, indicating a new and growing focus on this area within the organisation.
Why This Matters for Consumers
The composition and priorities of the UKGC can have a direct impact on how the gambling industry is regulated. A focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion within the regulator can influence its approach to consumer protection, ensuring that measures are effective across all demographics.
This includes scrutinising how gambling products are designed and marketed, and whether they disproportionately affect or appeal to certain vulnerable groups. For consumers, a regulator attuned to diversity is better equipped to create a safer gambling environment for everyone in the UK.
A Breakdown of the Numbers
The FOI disclosure provides a clear timeline of the UKGC's investment in dedicated EDI roles:
- 2021-22: 0 EDI staff employed.
- 2022-23: 1 EDI staff member employed.
- 2023-24: 2 EDI staff members employed.
The response also detailed the job titles and associated pay bands for these roles.
In 2022-23, the single role was an Interim Change Manager (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) with a pay band of £40,326 to £60,489.
By 2023-24, the team had expanded to two, and the roles were specified as:
- Interim Change Manager (Equality, Diversity & Inclusion): Pay band of £42,141 to £63,211.
- Diversity & Inclusion Manager: Pay band of £35,488 to £48,018.
The increase in the pay band for the senior role likely reflects a standard annual salary review or progression along the pay scale.
Significance for the Industry
This data reveals a clear and recent strategic shift within the UKGC. By establishing a formal EDI team, the Commission is signalling its commitment to embedding these principles into its own operations and, by extension, its regulatory expectations of gambling operators.
While the team is currently small, its creation marks a significant step. This internal focus on diversity could translate into more robust requirements for licensees regarding their own corporate governance, staff training, and responsible marketing practices. The growth from zero to two dedicated staff members in a short period suggests EDI is an area of increasing importance for the future of UK gambling regulation.