UKGC: No Record of Key Checks for Football Index Licence

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UKGC Holds No Record of Key Pre-Licensing Checks for Football Index Operator

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) holds no record of a third-party test house report or a website review being conducted before it granted a licence to Fame Ventures (Index Labs) on 27 March 2015. Fame Ventures was the original company behind the collapsed betting platform, Football Index.

The disclosure raises questions about the robustness of the licensing process for an operator that would later cause significant consumer harm.

Context: The Importance of Pre-Licensing Checks

Before granting an operating licence, the UKGC is expected to conduct a thorough assessment to ensure an applicant is suitable to offer gambling services in Great Britain. This process typically includes a review of the operator's website and evidence that its gambling software has been tested and approved by an independent test house.

These checks are fundamental to upholding the licensing objectives, particularly ensuring that gambling is conducted in a fair and open way and that consumers are protected from harm. The absence of records for these steps is significant, especially concerning a platform that later collapsed amid regulatory scrutiny.

Breakdown of the FOI Request

The request, dated 6 June 2023, was split into three parts:

1. Confirmation of Checks: The requestor asked for confirmation that an approved test house report was provided and a website review was undertaken before the licence was granted in 2015.

   • UKGC Response: The Commission stated, "I can confirm that no information falling within the scope of part one of your request is held by the Gambling Commission."

2. Application Document: A request for the application document submitted by Fame Ventures.

3. Website Assessment Template: A request for the website assessment template used for the application.

For the second and third parts, the UKGC confirmed it holds the information but is withholding it from public release. The regulator cited section 31(1)(g) of the FOIA, a 'law enforcement' exemption. It argued that releasing the documents would prejudice its ability to regulate the industry, as it could expose assessment techniques and allow future applicants to game the system.

Significance: Transparency and Regulatory Scrutiny

The response highlights two key issues for consumers. Firstly, the admission that the UKGC has no record of a website review or test house report for the initial licensing of the company behind Football Index points to a potential gap in the due diligence process in 2015.

Secondly, the decision to withhold the application documents under a law enforcement exemption prevents public scrutiny of the information the company provided at the time. The requestor noted that similar documents for Betindex Limited (the later name for the same operation) had been released under a previous FOI request, suggesting a change in the Commission's approach to transparency regarding this operator.

In its public interest test, the UKGC acknowledged the need for accountability but concluded that the public interest was better served by withholding the information to protect the integrity of its ongoing regulatory processes.