FOI Reveals UKGC's Global Research Links
Regulator's correspondence with Canadian research body GREO disclosed, highlighting international approach to harm reduction.
A Freedom of Information disclosure shows the UK Gambling Commission is collaborating with a Canadian research body, Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO). The correspondence highlights the regulator's use of international evidence to inform its strategies for reducing gambling harm.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is in communication with a leading Canadian research organisation, highlighting the regulator's international approach to understanding and reducing gambling harm.
The disclosure, made in response to a request dated 18 June 2025, confirms correspondence between the UKGC's 'Gambling Exchange' and the Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO).
What the Data Shows
The FOI request asked for all correspondence between the two organisations. In response, the UKGC released a single 11.6 MB PDF file containing the requested communications. However, the Commission applied a "partial exemption" to the documents.
This means that while the substance of the correspondence was released, certain information was withheld. The UKGC stated that it redacted personal data, such as names and email addresses of identifiable individuals, citing section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, which protects personal information under data protection laws. This is a standard procedure in FOI responses to protect individual privacy.
Context and Significance
This disclosure is significant as it provides a window into how the UKGC gathers evidence to shape its regulatory framework. The two organisations involved are key players in the gambling harm landscape:
- The Gambling Exchange: This is a UKGC-led initiative designed to be a central hub for sharing information, evidence, and best practices aimed at preventing and reducing gambling-related harm.
- Gambling Research Exchange Ontario (GREO): An independent, non-profit organisation based in Canada, GREO specialises in mobilising and translating gambling research to support evidence-informed decision-making and policy.
The correspondence confirms that the UK's gambling regulator is actively engaging with international experts to inform its strategies. For UK consumers, this indicates that future player protection measures and regulatory changes could be influenced by a global pool of research and evidence.
Implications for UK Regulation
By collaborating with an organisation like GREO, the UKGC gains access to a different perspective and a wider body of international research on gambling harm. This can help ensure that its policies are not developed in a vacuum but are instead based on the most current and comprehensive evidence available worldwide.
While the redactions prevent a full analysis of every detail discussed, the existence of this dialogue itself is noteworthy. It demonstrates a commitment from the regulator to look beyond national borders for effective solutions to make gambling safer for consumers in Great Britain.