FOI: UKGC Staff Business Miles Up 14.5% in 2023-24
Data reveals increased travel for regulatory duties, with a perfect two-year safety record for staff using personal vehicles.
A Freedom of Information request shows UK Gambling Commission staff drove nearly 20,000 business miles in personal vehicles in 2023-24, a 14.5% increase. The data suggests a rise in fieldwork, with zero accidents reported over the two-year period.
Article Content
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed a significant increase in business travel by UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) staff using their own vehicles, suggesting a rise in fieldwork and on-site regulatory activities.
The data, released following a request made on 15 July 2025, shows that business mileage in personal vehicles—known as 'greyfleet' travel—rose by 14.5% in the 2023-2024 financial year compared to the previous year.
Key Findings from the Data
The disclosure provides a transparent look at the operational movements of the UK's gambling regulator. The key figures are:
-
Business Mileage:
- 2022-2023: 17,209 miles
- 2023-2024: 19,696 miles
-
Employee Reimbursement:
- 2022-2023: £7,744
- 2023-2024: £8,863
-
Reported Road Accidents:
- 2022-2023: Zero
- 2023-2024: Zero
The figures show a year-on-year increase of 2,487 miles travelled and an additional £1,119 reimbursed to staff. The reimbursement rate works out to approximately 45p per mile for both years, which aligns with the standard Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rates set by HMRC.
Why This Matters for Consumers
This data offers a tangible metric for the UKGC's activities outside of its offices. An increase in business travel often correlates with more on-site compliance checks at land-based casinos, betting shops, and arcades, as well as in-person engagement with industry stakeholders.
For consumers, a more visible and active regulator can build confidence in the industry's oversight. The travel could be for a range of duties, including:
- Premises licence assessments
- Compliance and enforcement visits
- Investigations and intelligence gathering
- Attending industry conferences and events
A Perfect Safety Record
Notably, the Commission reported zero road accidents involving employees using their personal vehicles for business purposes across the two-year period. This perfect safety record, covering over 36,000 miles of travel, indicates robust safety protocols and responsible conduct by staff undertaking regulatory duties across the country.
The increase in travel, combined with a clean safety record, paints a picture of a regulator ramping up its operational tempo while maintaining high standards of employee welfare and public safety. This transparency helps the public understand how the Commission allocates resources to fulfil its core mission of making gambling in Great Britain fairer and safer.