UKGC Directs Public to Total Gambling Stakes Data
An FOI request has clarified where to find turnover figures, offering a different view of the industry's scale compared to operator revenue.
A Freedom of Information request has clarified how the public can access data on the total amount of money staked on gambling in Great Britain. The UK Gambling Commission directed the requester to its official Industry Statistics, highlighting the difference between total stakes (turnover) and operator revenue (GGY).
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A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request has highlighted where the public can access official data on the total amount of money wagered on gambling in Great Britain. The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) confirmed the data is publicly available, directing the requester to its detailed industry statistics reports.
The Request for Transparency
On 18 August 2024, an individual submitted a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000. They asked for estimated statistics on the total amount staked on all gambling activities in Britain for the most recent years available. The request specifically sought a breakdown by major categories like online betting, land-based casinos, and lotteries, while explicitly excluding data on Gross Gambling Yield (GGY).
This distinction is crucial for understanding the industry. "Total staked," often referred to as turnover, is the total sum of all bets placed by customers. GGY, on the other hand, is the amount operators retain after paying out winnings. Turnover figures are therefore significantly larger than GGY and provide a measure of the total volume of money flowing through the market.
The Commission's Response
The UKGC responded by withholding the information from the direct reply, citing Section 21 of the FOIA. This exemption applies when the information is already "reasonably accessible elsewhere."
This was not a refusal to provide the data, but rather a redirection to the correct public source. The Commission pointed the requester to its official Industry Statistics - February 2024 publication, which is available on the UKGC website.
Specifically, the UKGC stated that the requested figures can be found in the "turnover tables (page 6 to 10)" of the downloadable Excel spreadsheet accompanying the report. This file contains a comprehensive breakdown of the industry's financial activity.
Why This Data Matters to Consumers
Understanding the difference between turnover and GGY is vital for consumers seeking a complete picture of the gambling industry's scale.
- Turnover (Total Staked): Represents the total value of wagers placed. It illustrates the sheer volume of activity and the amount of money consumers are cycling through gambling products.
- Gross Gambling Yield (GGY): Represents the amount operators keep from stakes after paying out winnings. This is effectively the industry's revenue and the figure most often cited in financial reports.
By accessing the turnover data in the UKGC's industry statistics, consumers, researchers, and policymakers can gain a deeper understanding of gambling trends. It allows for an analysis of the economic footprint of the industry that goes beyond operator profits, showing the full scale of customer participation across different sectors like online slots, sports betting, and the National Lottery.
This FOI disclosure serves as a valuable public service announcement, guiding interested parties to a rich dataset that offers a transparent and comprehensive view of gambling activity in Great Britain.