UKGC Holds No Spreadex Workforce Diversity Data
FOI response suggests diversity metrics may not be part of standard governance reporting for gambling operators.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not hold any workforce diversity or ethnicity data for Spreadex. The response indicates that such reporting may not be a mandatory requirement for licensees, raising questions about regulatory oversight of corporate social responsibility.
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Key Finding: Regulator Does Not Possess Operator Diversity Data
A Freedom of Information (FOI) response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed that the regulator does not hold any workforce diversity or ethnicity data for the financial trading and spread betting operator, Spreadex.
The disclosure, dated 13 October 2025, suggests that the submission of such data is not currently a mandatory part of the governance reporting required by the UKGC for its licensees.
Why This Matters for Consumers
For consumers, understanding an operator's commitment to corporate social responsibility, including workforce diversity and inclusion, is becoming an increasingly important factor when choosing a service. This data provides insight into a company's internal culture and ethical standards. The absence of centrally collected data by the regulator makes it difficult for the public to assess and compare operators on these important metrics, leaving consumers with an incomplete picture of the businesses they engage with.
Details of the FOI Request
The request submitted to the Gambling Commission asked a two-part question:
- Has Spreadex submitted diversity or workforce ethnicity data as part of its governance reporting?
- If not, can the Commission confirm whether it or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) monitors equality and representation in licensed firms?
In its official response, the UKGC stated: "The Gambling Commission can confirm that no information is held falling within the scope of your request."
This outcome, categorised as "Information not held," means that the UKGC searched its records and found no documents or data matching the request. It is not a refusal to provide information, but a confirmation that the Commission does not possess it. The response did not address the second part of the question regarding the general monitoring practices of the UKGC or FCA on this issue.
Significance for the Industry
The finding has broader implications for regulatory transparency in the UK gambling sector. It indicates a potential gap in the scope of the UKGC's oversight, which has historically focused on financial probity, anti-money laundering, and player protection.
While operators may collect this data internally, the fact that it is not held by the regulator suggests it is not a required component of demonstrating good corporate governance for licensing purposes. This lack of a standardised reporting requirement prevents industry-wide benchmarking and makes it challenging to track progress on diversity and inclusion across the sector.
For consumers and campaign groups, this disclosure highlights an area where regulatory requirements could be expanded to promote greater transparency and corporate accountability among gambling operators.