UKGC Spends Over £140k Annually on Network Services
A Freedom of Information disclosure details the regulator's spending on telephony, broadband, and wide area network (WAN) infrastructure.
A Freedom of Information request reveals the UK Gambling Commission spends over £142,000 annually on its primary network and broadband services. The data provides a transparent look at the regulator's operational costs and its investment in modern, cloud-based communication technology.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) spends over £142,000 annually on key internet and network contracts, providing a transparent look into the operational costs of the nation's gambling regulator.
The data, released following a request dated 7 July 2023, details the suppliers, costs, and contract durations for the UKGC's core communication systems.
Why This Matters
As the body responsible for regulating the UK gambling industry, the UKGC is funded by the licence fees it collects from operators. This means its operational spending, including on technology and communications, is indirectly supported by the industry it oversees. Transparency around these costs helps consumers and stakeholders understand how the regulator allocates its resources to fulfil its mandate of making gambling safer and fairer.
Breakdown of the Costs
The FOI response provides a detailed look at the UKGC's spending across several key service contracts:
Telephony and Call Services:
- Suppliers: Koris365 and Gamma
- Technology: The UKGC has moved to a "fully cloud based solution" using Microsoft Teams for its telephony, with SIP trunks for external calls. This indicates a modernisation of its communication infrastructure.
- Monthly Spend: The regulator spends an average of £288 per month on landline calls.
- Capacity: The organisation has 88 telephone extensions currently in use, with a total capacity for 350.
- Contract End Date: The primary telephony contracts with Koris365 and Gamma are set for renewal in December 2025.
Broadband and Wide Area Network (WAN): This area represents the bulk of the disclosed expenditure, covering the internet connections for the UKGC's offices.
- Claranet: Provides internet and WAN services for two sites at an annual cost of £129,281 (ex VAT). This contract was due for review in August 2023.
- Vodafone: Supplies a Public Services Network (PSN) connection for one site, with a rolling yearly contract costing approximately £9,000 per annum. Its review was scheduled for December 2023.
- Gamma: Provides an additional internet line for one site at an approximate annual cost of £4,000.
The combined annual spend on these WAN and broadband services totals approximately £142,281.
Significance for Regulation
This disclosure provides a snapshot of the technological and financial underpinnings of the UK's gambling regulator. The investment in a modern, cloud-based telephony system and significant spending on robust network connections highlight the importance of digital infrastructure in modern regulation.
These systems are critical for the UKGC's day-to-day operations, from internal collaboration to external communication with licensees, government bodies, and the public. Understanding the costs associated with this infrastructure offers valuable insight into the operational priorities and financial management of the organisation tasked with protecting consumers.