UKGC Lacks Local Problem Gambling Data
FOI reveals data gap hindering research into betting shop locations and gambling harm, as regulator confirms it cannot provide neighbourhood-level statistics.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the Gambling Commission cannot provide data on problem gambling rates at a local neighbourhood level. This data gap prevents researchers from analysing the link between betting shop density and gambling harm. The regulator cited an insufficient sample size in its new survey as the reason.
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Key Finding: Regulator Cannot Provide Neighbourhood-Level Harm Data
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is unable to provide data on problem gambling rates at a hyper-local level, creating a significant evidence gap for researchers and local authorities.
The disclosure, dated 13 January 2025, confirms that while the regulator holds individual-level data from its new Gambling Survey for Great Britain (GSGB), it cannot break it down to a small neighbourhood level, known as a Lower Layer Super Output Area (LSOA).
Context: The Link Between Betting Shops and Deprivation
For consumers and campaigners, the location of gambling premises is a key concern. There is a long-standing debate about whether betting shops are disproportionately established in more deprived areas or areas with a higher prevalence of gambling-related harm.
To investigate this, researchers require granular data that maps problem gambling rates against the location of gambling venues. The FOI request was made for precisely this reason, with the requester stating they wanted to address "whether gambling shops are established in areas with a considerable number of problematic gamblers."
Details of the FOI Response
The UKGC's response sheds light on the current limitations of its flagship survey:
- Data Held: The Commission confirmed it holds anonymised, individual-level responses from the GSGB.
- Geographical Limitation: Crucially, it stated, "we don't have the sample size available yet to look at the data at this localised level, currently we only go down as far as region."
- Data Withheld: The regulator refused to release the regional-level data immediately, citing section 22 of the FOIA. This exemption allows public bodies to withhold information that is intended for future publication.
- Future Publication: The UKGC stated the data is "due to be published to the UK Data Service in the near future." Researchers will need to register with the service to access the datasets once they are released.
Significance: An Evidence Gap for Policy and Planning
The response highlights a critical gap in the evidence base used to understand and regulate gambling in Great Britain. Without reliable, hyper-local data on gambling harm, it is difficult for local councils to make evidence-based planning decisions regarding new gambling premises or for researchers to definitively assess the impact of gambling venue density on communities.
The Commission's inability to provide this data stems from the sample size of its new survey methodology. While the GSGB is designed to provide robust national and regional statistics, this response indicates it is not yet capable of supporting the kind of granular analysis needed to answer specific questions about local-level harm.
This leaves a significant question unanswered for consumers and communities: are gambling venues being placed in the areas most vulnerable to harm? According to the UKGC's own data capabilities, it is currently impossible to say for sure.