UKGC: No Central List of Betting Shops
FOI reveals data on UK betting premises is held by local authorities, not in a single national database.
A Freedom of Information request has confirmed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold a single, complete database of all betting shops. Consumers seeking this data must contact individual local authorities, who hold the definitive records.
Article Content
UKGC Directs Enquiries to Local Authorities
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not maintain a complete, central database of all licensed betting shops in the country. Consumers or researchers seeking a comprehensive list of premises, including contact details, must approach individual local authorities directly.
The request, dated 18 June 2024, asked the UKGC for a list of all licensed betting shops in the UK, including the company name, postcode, and phone number for each location.
In its response, the Commission stated that this information was partially exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Why the Information Was Not Provided
The UKGC explained that while it oversees gambling regulation nationally, the licences for physical premises are issued and managed by local licensing authorities. These authorities are responsible for various gambling venues, including:
- Betting premises (including tracks)
- Casino premises
- Bingo premises
- Adult gaming centres
- Family entertainment centres
The Commission cited Section 21 of the FOIA, which provides an exemption for information that is 'reasonably accessible elsewhere'. In this case, the definitive and most accurate registers of betting shops are held by the numerous local authorities across the UK.
What This Means for Consumers
While the Gambling Commission maintains a national register of premises licences based on data supplied by local authorities, it comes with significant caveats. The UKGC noted that this central register "may contain errors, duplications or there may be omissions."
Crucially, the response also confirmed that the Commission does not record the phone numbers of individual licensed premises. This means that even the partial data held centrally is incomplete for the purposes of the original request.
For consumers, this highlights a key aspect of UK gambling regulation: the division of responsibility. While the UKGC sets the rules and licenses operators, the physical location of gambling premises is a matter for local government. Anyone wishing to compile data on betting shop locations, verify a licence, or find contact details for a specific shop is advised to contact the relevant local council, as they hold the most accurate and up-to-date information.
This decentralised system means that creating a national picture of the UK's high street betting landscape requires a significant effort, involving contact with hundreds of separate authorities.