UKGC Lacks Data on At-Risk Player Spend

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The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold data on the percentage of revenue that casinos or other gambling operators generate from problem gamblers. This was confirmed in a response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request made public by the regulator.

The request, dated 16 January 2022, asked for a specific statistic: the percentage of casino revenue that comes from individuals classified as problem gamblers. In its official response, the UKGC stated, "I can confirm that the Gambling Commission does not hold data on the percentage of revenue that is derived from problem gamblers for any particular gambling activity. As such no information is held falling within the scope of your request."

What This Means

The response confirms a significant gap in the data collected by the UK's gambling regulator. The term "Information not held" does not mean the UKGC is refusing to share the data; it means the organisation does not collect or possess this information in the first place.

While the Commission tracks overall industry revenue (Gross Gambling Yield) and regularly publishes statistics on the prevalence of problem gambling, this FOI response reveals it does not connect the two. The regulator does not have a figure that quantifies the industry's financial reliance on those who are suffering the most harm.

Why This Data Matters for Consumers

Understanding the source of gambling revenue is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of consumer protection measures. For consumers, this data would provide a clear, objective metric on the scale of gambling-related harm and the industry's financial dependence on it.

Without this key performance indicator, it is challenging for the public, policymakers, and researchers to:

• Measure the true cost of gambling harm: Quantifying the revenue from at-risk players would provide a stark financial figure for the negative impact of the industry.
• Assess safer gambling initiatives: If an operator's revenue from problem gamblers decreases over time, it could indicate that safer gambling policies are working. Without a baseline, measuring progress is difficult.
• Drive regulatory policy: Data-driven regulation relies on having the right data. This information gap raises questions about how the regulator can effectively target policies, such as those in the Gambling Act review White Paper, without measuring one of the most critical outcomes.

Industry Implications

The absence of official data from the regulator creates a vacuum. While various studies and industry reports have attempted to estimate the figure—often placing it between 40% and 60% of revenue—there is no definitive, regulator-held statistic to verify these claims.

This FOI disclosure highlights a critical blind spot in the UK's regulatory framework. For an industry undergoing intense scrutiny over player protection, the fact that the regulator does not measure the revenue derived from at-risk players is a pivotal piece of information for consumers seeking to understand the landscape of UK gambling.