UKGC Holds No Data on Student Gambling Harm

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A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) holds no recorded data on the number of students seeking help for gambling-related harm.

In a response dated 17 October 2023, the regulator confirmed it could not provide statistics on students accessing support, nor on the creation and utilisation of support systems specifically designed for them. The finding highlights a significant data gap concerning a demographic often identified as being at higher risk of experiencing gambling harm.

The Request and Response

The FOI request submitted to the Commission asked for specific figures covering the last three years:

• How many students across the UK have asked for support after issues with gambling?
• How many support systems have been created to help students facing gambling addictions?
• How many students are utilising these services?

In its official response, the UKGC stated: "I can confirm that no recorded information falling within the scope of your request is held by the Gambling Commission."

This outcome, designated as "Information not held," means the data does not exist within the Commission's records. It is not a refusal to share information, but a confirmation that the regulator does not collect or store it.

Context: The Regulator's Role

The Commission's response provides context for this data gap, explaining its specific function within the industry. The UKGC clarified that it is a regulator, not an ombudsman or a direct support provider. Its primary role is to license and regulate gambling operators in Great Britain to ensure they comply with the conditions of their licence.

As the UKGC explained, "We do not have the powers to resolve individual gambling complaints or help consumers get their money back. Our role is to consider if a gambling business has breached their licence conditions." While the Commission records complaints against operators to inform potential regulatory action, it does not track the demographic details of individuals who seek help from third-party support services.

Significance for Consumers and the Industry

The absence of this data at the regulatory level is significant. It means that there is no central, official repository for tracking the scale of gambling harm within the UK's student population. While individual universities, NHS services, and gambling support charities like GamCare may hold their own data, the national regulator does not have this specific overview.

For consumers, particularly students and their families, this clarifies the UKGC's remit. The Commission is the body to report an operator for a suspected licence breach, but it is not the source for public health statistics or direct support. This finding underscores the importance of data collection by public health bodies and third-sector organisations to understand and address gambling harm among vulnerable groups.

Without this data, it is challenging for policymakers and the regulator to gauge the effectiveness of measures intended to protect young people or to identify emerging trends in student gambling harm.