UKGC Spends £187k Annually on Network Contracts
FOI request reveals regulator's spending on core IT infrastructure and key suppliers supporting its 340 staff members.
A Freedom of Information disclosure reveals the UK Gambling Commission spends £187,000 per year on its core network infrastructure. The data details contracts with three key suppliers supporting 340 staff across three sites.
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Regulator Discloses £187,000 Annual Spend on IT Network
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) spends approximately £187,000 annually on contracts for its core network infrastructure. The disclosure, dated 4 August 2023, provides a transparent look into the operational costs of the body responsible for regulating the UK gambling industry.
Why This Matters
The UKGC is a public body funded primarily through licence fees paid by gambling operators. This spending on essential IT services is a component of its operational budget. For consumers, the stability and security of this network are paramount. It supports the Commission's ability to monitor operators, manage licensing, collect data, and carry out its regulatory duties effectively, all of which are crucial for consumer protection.
Breakdown of the Costs
The response details contracts with three main third-party suppliers for its Local Area Network (LAN), which connects its 340 users across three sites.
The annual spending is divided as follows:
- Claranet: Approximately £129,000 (ex VAT) for leased lines to two sites.
- Koris365: £54,000 for maintaining the network infrastructure, including support, upgrades, and hardware replacement.
- Gamma: £4,000 for an internet line at its Watford location.
In addition to these external contracts, the UKGC noted that its internal physical and virtual servers are maintained in-house. The hardware used across its network is predominantly from Cisco and HP.
Contract Timelines and Significance
The disclosure also sheds light on the UKGC's procurement cycle. The contract durations and expiry dates vary for each supplier:
- Claranet: A two-year contract set to expire in November 2023.
- Gamma: A one-year contract expiring in March 2024.
- Koris365: A four-year contract running until 31 March 2026.
The Commission stated that it plans to review each contract approximately three months before its expiry date. This transparency into procurement timelines allows for public scrutiny of how the regulator manages its resources and supplier relationships.
Ultimately, this data provides a valuable insight into the costs associated with running a modern regulatory body. The £187,000 annual investment in its network infrastructure is essential for the UKGC to fulfil its mission of making gambling safer for consumers in the United Kingdom.