UKGC FOI Reveals Historic Gambling Data Source
Commission directs public to UK Data Service for key 1999, 2007, and 2010 prevalence surveys.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the official source for accessing historic UK gambling prevalence surveys. The Gambling Commission directed the requestor to the UK Data Service, where data from 1999, 2007, and 2010 is archived for researchers and the public.
Article Content
UKGC Clarifies Access to Foundational Gambling Surveys
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has prompted the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) to clarify the official access point for landmark historical data on gambling participation and problem gambling rates in Great Britain.
In a response dated 4 March 2025, the regulator directed the public and researchers to the UK Data Service for the full datasets of the British Gambling Prevalence Surveys conducted in 1999, 2007, and 2010.
Why This Data Matters
These surveys are foundational to understanding the modern UK gambling landscape. They provide a crucial baseline for tracking long-term trends in gambling behaviour, participation across different activities, and the prevalence of problem gambling. The data from these years is particularly significant as it covers periods before and after the implementation of the Gambling Act 2005, which liberalised the market and established the Gambling Commission.
For consumers, this historical data provides context for current debates around gambling regulation and harm. It allows for an evidence-based understanding of how the market has evolved over two decades, helping to separate long-term trends from short-term changes.
Details of the FOI Response
The request specifically asked for direct links to the three historical surveys. The UKGC responded by invoking Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, which exempts information that is already reasonably accessible to the public through other means.
Instead of withholding the information entirely, the Commission provided direct links to the survey archives on the UK Data Service website. The UKGC noted that individuals wishing to access the full, detailed datasets must first register as a user with the UK Data Service, a standard procedure for accessing secure academic and government data.
The specific surveys referenced are:
- British Gambling Prevalence Survey, 1999
- British Gambling Prevalence Survey, 2007
- British Gambling Prevalence Survey, 2010
Significance for Consumers and Industry
By signposting this official data source, the UKGC has increased transparency around the evidence base that has informed gambling policy for years. While the Commission now uses its own regular participation and prevalence statistics, these historic surveys remain the benchmark for longitudinal studies.
This clarification empowers consumers, charities, and independent researchers to access the primary data for themselves, enabling deeper analysis of gambling trends. For the industry, it reinforces the importance of these datasets, which are often cited in regulatory discussions, consultations, and reports on gambling-related harm. The availability of this data ensures that discussions about the industry's growth and social impact can be grounded in historical fact.