UKGC: No Central List of UK Betting Shops

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UKGC Confirms Data on Betting Premises Held Locally

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not maintain a central, definitive register of all licensed betting offices in the United Kingdom. The response clarifies that the responsibility for licensing and tracking gambling premises lies with local authorities, not the national regulator.

Why This Matters for Consumers

The request, dated 1 September 2023, asked for a complete list of licensed betting offices, including their full address, postcode, and the year they were first licensed. For consumers, such a list would provide a single, reliable source to verify the legitimacy of a local betting shop or to research the density of gambling premises in a specific area.

The UKGC’s response highlights that while information is publicly available, it is not consolidated in one place. This means consumers and researchers must navigate a more complex system to find guaranteed-accurate information.

Breakdown of the FOI Response

The Commission withheld the requested list under Section 21 of the Freedom of Information Act, which exempts information that is “reasonably accessible elsewhere.”

Instead of providing a central file, the UKGC directed the requester to two separate sources:

1. The UKGC Public Register: The Commission publishes its own register of gambling businesses, which is updated nightly. However, it includes a significant caveat, stating it “cannot provide any assurances on the completeness and accuracy of this data.” This register primarily tracks the operating licences held by companies, rather than the individual premises licences for each physical location.

2. Local Licensing Authorities: The UKGC clarified that it does not issue premises licences. This is the responsibility of local councils. For definitive and detailed information about a specific betting shop, members of the public must contact the relevant local authority for the area where the business is located.

Significance and Industry Implications

This disclosure clarifies the distinct roles of different regulatory bodies in the UK. The Gambling Commission is responsible for issuing operating and personal licences to gambling businesses and individuals, ensuring they meet strict standards of conduct. However, the power to grant or deny a licence for a physical high-street premises rests with local councils, who consider local circumstances and objections.

For the public, this means that verifying a local betting shop's licence cannot be done with complete certainty through the national regulator alone. While the UKGC’s public register is a useful starting point, the final, authoritative source of information is the local council that issued the premises licence. This decentralised approach to premises licensing creates a fragmented data landscape, placing the burden of inquiry on individuals and community groups seeking comprehensive information.