NHS Advised UKGC on Leeds Casino Licence

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NHS Expert Weighed in on Leeds Casino Application, UKGC Reveals

A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure has revealed that the Gambling Commission (UKGC) corresponded with a senior NHS gambling harm expert regarding a casino in Leeds. The exchange highlights the increasing role of public health bodies in the UK's gambling regulatory landscape.

The data was released following a request dated 2 August 2024 for all correspondence between the regulator and Matt Gaskill, a prominent figure in NHS gambling treatment services, from 1 January 2021 onwards.

Context: Connecting Regulation and Public Health

Matt Gaskill is a senior professional associated with both the NHS North West Gambling Service and the North East and Yorkshire Gambling Service. These clinics provide specialist treatment and support for individuals affected by gambling harm. His involvement in discussions with the regulator is significant as it demonstrates a direct link between public health expertise and specific regulatory matters, rather than just high-level policy debates.

For consumers, this indicates that expert opinions on gambling-related harm are being considered by the UKGC during its operational decision-making processes, which can influence the safety and standards of gambling venues.

Details of the Disclosure

In response to the FOI request, the Gambling Commission released a single document: a redacted PDF file titled "RE VGC Casino Leeds Redacted application/pdf".

Key points from the disclosure include:

• Subject: The correspondence specifically concerns an application related to a casino in Leeds, likely the Victoria Gate Casino, given the "VGC" in the filename.
• Parties Involved: The communication was between the UKGC and Matt Gaskill, representing NHS gambling services.
• Partial Redaction: The UKGC applied a partial exemption to the release. It withheld personal information of identifiable individuals, citing section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. The Commission stated there was "no legitimate public interest in disclosing this information" and that it would not be fair to the individuals involved.

While the full content of the discussion remains private, the document's existence and title confirm that a public health expert was consulted or provided input on a specific land-based casino's application.

Significance: A Shift Towards a Public Health Approach

The release of this document provides concrete evidence of collaboration between the UK's gambling regulator and its national health service on a granular, operational level. It suggests a move towards integrating public health principles directly into the licensing and regulation of individual gambling premises.

This development is a tangible example of the 'public health approach' to gambling harm, which frames problem gambling as a public health issue requiring preventative measures, not just treatment. The fact that the UKGC is engaging with NHS experts on specific applications could signal a more proactive stance on harm prevention at the licensing stage, a trend that will be watched closely by both consumers and the industry.