UKGC Health Committee Talks Revealed in FOI
Regulator provided evidence to MPs on gambling's health impact in early 2025, new documents show.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission engaged in detailed discussions with Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee in early 2025. The correspondence, which included an invitation for the regulator to give oral evidence, signals growing scrutiny of gambling's impact on public health.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) was in close contact with Parliament's Health and Social Care Committee during the spring of 2025, indicating significant scrutiny of gambling's impact on public health.
The disclosure, published following a request made on 17 June 2025, contains records of correspondence between the two organisations from March and April 2025. While the full content of the documents is redacted to protect personal data, the titles and dates provide a clear timeline of the engagement.
What the Data Reveals
The documents show that the interaction was initiated by the Health and Social Care Committee, a powerful cross-party group of MPs responsible for examining the policy and expenditure of the Department of Health and Social Care.
The key events disclosed include:
- An invitation for the Gambling Commission to give oral evidence to the committee.
- A formal written response from the UKGC, dated 19 March 2025, clarifying the regulator's role in the context of the committee's inquiry.
- A follow-up submission from the UKGC to the committee on 14 April 2025, suggesting the dialogue was ongoing.
Logistical emails regarding a UKGC representative visiting the committee were also included in the release.
Why This Matters for Consumers
The Health and Social Care Committee's focus on gambling signals that the potential for gambling-related harm is being treated as a serious public health issue by policymakers. When a select committee launches an inquiry, it often leads to formal reports and recommendations for government action, which can directly influence future legislation and regulatory priorities.
The UKGC's role as the industry regulator makes its evidence crucial to any such investigation. The correspondence confirms the Commission is actively participating in high-level discussions that could shape the future of consumer protection in the UK gambling market.
This level of engagement suggests a formal inquiry into the health-related aspects of gambling was underway. The outcomes could have long-term implications for how gambling operators are licensed and required to protect their customers, potentially leading to stricter rules around affordability, advertising, and interventions for those at risk of harm.