UKGC Moves Key Gambling Data, FOI Reveals
Regulator redirects user to new locations for Gross Gambling Yield and industry statistics pages after Freedom of Information request.
A Freedom of Information request has shown that the UK Gambling Commission has moved key informational pages on its website. The pages, which explain how operators calculate profits and present industry statistics, were located after the regulator provided updated links.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has moved key informational pages on its website, making it harder for users with old links to find crucial data.
The request, dated 23 January 2024, highlights the challenge of tracking regulatory guidance and industry data when a public body reorganises its online presence.
What Was Requested?
A member of the public filed an FOI request asking for access to two specific webpages that were no longer available at their original addresses. The pages were:
- "How to calculate your Gross Gambling Yield": A guide for gambling businesses on calculating GGY, a key financial metric.
- "Latest gambling industry statistics published": A news article from 2020 detailing industry-wide statistics.
These pages contain fundamental information for understanding how the gambling industry operates and its financial scale. Gross Gambling Yield (GGY) is the amount retained by operators after paying out winnings but before deducting operating costs. It is the primary measure of the industry's size.
The UKGC's Response
The UKGC processed the request but did not provide copies of the old pages. Instead, it cited Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, which provides an exemption for information that is "reasonably accessible elsewhere."
The regulator confirmed the information had been moved and provided updated links:
- The GGY calculation guide is now part of a larger document titled "Regulatory returns guidance - Reporting gross gambling yield (GGY) on regulatory returns."
- Historical industry statistics are now located within the "Statistics and research series" section of the website.
While the information was not permanently deleted, its relocation required an FOI request to locate, a process that can take up to 20 working days.
Why This Matters for Consumers
For consumers, researchers, and journalists, easy access to regulatory information is essential for transparency and accountability. GGY figures are crucial for understanding how much money is spent on gambling in the UK and for analysing the profitability of operators.
When links to such foundational data are broken—a phenomenon known as 'link rot'—it can create barriers to public scrutiny. This case demonstrates that while the UKGC is still making the information available, changes to its website structure can inadvertently obscure data from public view.
This outcome underscores the importance of FOI requests not only for uncovering new information but also for maintaining a clear and accessible public record when official sources change.