FOI: UKGC Held 26+ Meetings with Gambling with Lives

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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has detailed the extent of the UK Gambling Commission's (UKGC) engagement with the prominent campaigning charity, Gambling with Lives.

The data, released following a request on 4 April 2023, shows that the regulator and the charity held at least 26 formal meetings over the last three years, and two key figures from the charity have held leadership roles on a formal UKGC advisory panel.

What the Data Reveals

The FOI response provides a numerical breakdown of the interactions between the two organisations, highlighting a close and consistent working relationship. Gambling with Lives is a charity founded by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide and campaigns for stricter gambling regulation.

This level of engagement indicates that the regulator is actively consulting with groups representing those with lived experience of gambling harm as part of its policy and enforcement work.

Breakdown of Meetings

Over the three-year period covered by the request, the UKGC disclosed the following interactions:

• 18 Meetings with UKGC Staff: This included 14 'Expert by Experience' meetings (a mix of core and subsidiary sessions) and 4 separate meetings between senior Commission staff and the charity.
• 8 Meetings with UKGC Board Members: In addition to staff meetings, Commission Board members were present at 8 meetings with Gambling with Lives staff.
• Parliamentary Reception: Commission staff also attended a parliamentary reception hosted by the charity.

In total, the data confirms at least 26 formal meetings alongside other engagements.

Advisory Panel Appointments

The FOI request also sought details on two individuals linked to Gambling with Lives who serve on the Commission's Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP).

Charles Ritchie, a co-founder of Gambling with Lives, was appointed to LEAP on 20 January 2021. He served as one of the group's Chairs from 17 March 2022 until his term ended on 27 January 2023. During his tenure, he attended 35 LEAP and associated meetings.

James Grimes, formerly of Gambling with Lives and now Head of Education at The Big Step, was also appointed on 20 January 2021. He served as the panel's Vice Chair for nearly a year and has attended 28 meetings. His term is noted as ongoing until 31 December 2023.

Redacted Information

The Commission declined to provide two pieces of information requested in the FOI.

• Payment to Panel Members: The amount paid to Mr Ritchie and Mr Grimes for their work on LEAP was withheld. The UKGC cited section 40(2) of the FOIA, stating the information constitutes personal data and that the individuals have a "legitimate expectation that their personal details will not be disclosed." The regulator concluded there was no overriding public interest to justify the release.
• Direct Funding: The UKGC did not provide a figure for funding given to Gambling with Lives. Instead, it cited section 21 of the FOIA (information accessible elsewhere) and pointed to its public list of organisations approved to receive funds from regulatory settlements. This indicates that any funding the charity receives comes from fines levied on gambling operators for licence breaches, rather than directly from the Commission's own budget.

Why This Matters

This disclosure provides consumers with a transparent look at how the UK's gambling regulator engages with key stakeholder groups. The data confirms that Gambling with Lives, a vocal critic of the industry and a proponent of stronger consumer protections, has a formal and frequent line of communication with the UKGC at both staff and board level. The existence of the LEAP panel and the roles held by its members demonstrate a structured mechanism for incorporating the perspective of those harmed by gambling into the regulatory process.