UKGC Lacks Data on Small Lottery Market Share
FOI request reveals the gambling regulator does not hold information on the market size of small society lotteries, a key part of the non-commercial gambling sector.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the UK Gambling Commission does not know the market share of small society lotteries. This data gap highlights a blind spot in the national oversight of the UK's lottery sector. While these lotteries are registered with local authorities, the lack of centralised data makes it difficult to assess the segment's overall size and impact.
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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) does not hold data on the market share of small society lotteries. The disclosure highlights a significant gap in the regulator's centralised overview of the entire UK lottery market.
On 19 May 2023, a request was submitted to the UKGC asking for the specific proportion of the UK lottery market that small society lotteries represent. In its official response, the Commission stated, "no information falling within the scope of your request is held by the Gambling Commission."
This outcome, classified as "Information not held," signifies that the data does not exist within the regulator's records. It is distinct from a refusal to provide information, meaning the UKGC is unable to answer the question because it does not collect or collate this specific data.
What are Small Society Lotteries?
Small society lotteries are a common form of fundraising for non-commercial organisations like charities, sports clubs, and local community groups. They are defined by specific financial limits on ticket sales and prizes. Unlike the National Lottery or large society lotteries, which require a licence from the Gambling Commission, small society lotteries are required to register with their local authority.
This decentralised registration system is the likely reason for the UKGC's lack of a comprehensive national dataset. While each local authority holds records for lotteries in its area, this information is not aggregated at a national level by the gambling regulator.
Significance of the Data Gap
For consumers and industry observers, this lack of centralised data creates a blind spot in understanding the full scope of the UK's lottery sector. Without a national figure, it is difficult to:
- Assess the total value: The collective financial contribution of thousands of small lotteries to good causes across the country remains unquantified at a national level.
- Analyse market trends: It is impossible to track the growth or decline of this grassroots lottery sector or compare its performance against the National Lottery and large society lotteries.
- Inform policy: Policymakers lack a complete picture of the lottery landscape when considering regulatory changes or assessing the impact of different forms of gambling.
While small society lotteries are regulated at a local level, the absence of a national overview from the primary gambling regulator means that a full, data-led understanding of the entire UK lottery market is incomplete. This makes it challenging for consumers and researchers to gauge the overall size and economic footprint of this important charitable fundraising sector.