UKGC: Fines Don't Go to Victims, Salaries Revealed
FOI request shows regulator passes fines to Treasury, while nearly 100 staff earn over £50,000.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that fines levied on gambling operators by the UKGC are not paid to victims, but are passed to the Treasury. The disclosure also provided details on staff salaries, showing 95 employees earn over £50,000 per year.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that financial penalties levied against gambling operators are not used to compensate victims. The response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) also shed light on its salary structure, while key financial details about its income were withheld pending future publication.
The disclosure, stemming from a request dated 5 August 2023, provides consumers with a clearer understanding of where the money from high-profile regulatory fines ends up and how the watchdog is staffed.
Where Do Operator Fines Go?
A common assumption among consumers is that fines imposed on gambling companies for regulatory breaches are used to compensate those harmed by their failings. However, the UKGC’s response clarifies this is not the case.
When asked how much money from fines and penalties was given to victims in the last financial year, the Commission stated: "I can confirm that no recorded information is held falling within the scope of this part of your request."
The regulator explained that it collects the fines and passes the money to the government's Consolidated Fund (the Treasury), after deducting its own direct costs of collection. This confirms that regulatory settlements are a punitive measure designed to penalise operators and fund general public spending, rather than a direct mechanism for victim restitution.
UKGC Staff Salaries
The FOI response provided specific details on remuneration for the Commission's senior staff. For the last financial year, the data shows:
- 7 employees (Full Time Equivalent) received a wage of at least £100,000.
- 95 employees (Full Time Equivalent) received a wage of at least £50,000. This figure is inclusive of the seven staff members earning over £100,000.
These figures offer a snapshot of the staffing and expertise levels within the organisation responsible for overseeing the UK's entire gambling industry.
Financial Transparency Withheld
The request also sought detailed information on the UKGC's income, including:
- Funding from taxpayers.
- Total income from fines and penalties.
- Income from fees and services.
However, the Commission declined to provide this information, citing a Section 22(1) exemption under the FOIA. This exemption allows a public authority to withhold information that is intended for future publication.
The UKGC stated that this data for the 2022/23 financial year will be published in its upcoming Annual Report and Accounts. It argued that releasing the information ahead of its scheduled publication would not be a cost-effective use of resources. While the data will eventually be public, this partial refusal means consumers and industry observers must wait for the Commission's own timetable to see the full financial picture.