UKGC Can't Track London Venue Growth

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Regulator Lacks Historical Data on London Gambling Venues

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold or retain historical data on the number of gambling premises licences across London. The disclosure highlights a significant gap in the central oversight of the physical growth of gambling venues in the capital.

The request, dated 7 October 2025, asked the regulator for a breakdown of active gambling licences in each London borough and the number of new licences approved annually from 2022 to 2025.

Why This Matters for Consumers

For consumers, researchers, and local communities, understanding the density and growth of gambling venues is crucial for assessing gambling-related harm and local area saturation. The lack of a central, historical database makes it difficult to track trends over time, such as the clustering of betting shops or casinos in specific neighbourhoods. This fragmentation of data places a considerable burden on the public to gather information from dozens of separate sources.

Details of the FOI Response

The UKGC declined to provide the specific figures, citing Section 21 of the FOIA, which exempts information that is “reasonably accessible elsewhere.”

However, the response revealed critical details about the structure of gambling regulation and data collection in the UK:

• Local Authority Responsibility: The Commission clarified that it does not issue premises licences. This responsibility lies with local licensing authorities, such as borough councils. The UKGC regulates the operators, while councils license the physical venues.
• No Historical Records: The UKGC stated it “does not retain historical records or previously published versions of the premises licence register.” The public register on its website is a live feed that is updated nightly and does not offer a view of past data.
• Data Accuracy Caveat: The Commission noted that its live register of premises is dependent on timely and accurate data submissions from local authorities. It explicitly stated that it “cannot provide any assurances on the completeness and accuracy of this data.”

To obtain the requested historical data, the requester was advised to contact each of London's 32 individual local authorities directly.

Significance and Industry Implications

The response underscores the decentralised nature of gambling premises licensing in the UK. While the UKGC maintains a powerful role in regulating operators and ensuring they meet licence conditions, the decision-making and record-keeping for the physical footprint of the industry are managed at a local level.

This data fragmentation means that tracking the year-on-year growth or decline of gambling venues across a city like London is not possible using a single source. Any individual or organisation seeking to build a comprehensive picture of the industry's presence on the high street must undertake the complex and time-consuming task of submitting separate information requests to numerous councils.