UKGC: No Record of BetIndex Presentation

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UKGC Confirms It Does Not Hold BetIndex Slide Deck

A Freedom of Information (FOI) response from the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has revealed that the regulator does not hold a copy of a presentation slide deck from the collapsed operator, BetIndex. The disclosure, dated 18 May 2022, highlights a potential gap in the regulator's record-keeping during its oversight of the firm behind Football Index.

Context: The BetIndex Collapse

The request relates to BetIndex, the company that operated the gambling product Football Index, which collapsed into administration in March 2021. The event led to significant financial losses for thousands of consumers and prompted an independent review into the UKGC's regulation of the company. Information regarding what the regulator knew about BetIndex's financial situation, and when, is of significant public interest.

This FOI request sought to obtain the full slide pack from a presentation BetIndex gave to the UKGC during a compliance meeting. A previous request had resulted in the release of just one slide.

Details of the FOI Response

The key findings from the FOI disclosure are:

• Information Not Held: The UKGC stated it does not hold a copy of the slide pack requested. The request, made on 8 May 2022, was for the complete set of slides.

• Recording Exists: The Commission clarified that its only record of the presentation is a video recording of the compliance meeting where BetIndex presented the slides. It does not possess the slide deck as a separate document.

• Technical Refusal: The UKGC explained that in a previous, related request, it had created a screenshot of a single slide from the recording as a helpful gesture. However, it stated it was not obligated to create new information (i.e., screenshots of every slide) to fulfil the new request for the full deck.

• Internal Review Upholds Decision: The requester asked for an internal review, arguing the information was held. The review upheld the original decision, confirming that while a recording is held, the specific item requested—a "slide pack"—is not. The response noted that a separate request for the meeting recording was being processed.

Significance for Consumers and Regulation

This disclosure raises important questions about regulatory process and transparency. For consumers, the fact that the regulator did not obtain or retain a copy of formal presentation materials from an operator during a compliance meeting is significant. Such documents are crucial for later review, scrutiny, and evidence.

The distinction made by the UKGC between holding a "recording" and a "slide pack" highlights how the specific wording of FOI requests can impact their outcome. While technically correct, the refusal to provide information that is held in a different format can create barriers to public understanding of regulatory actions.

The situation underscores the challenges in obtaining a full picture of the UKGC's interactions with BetIndex prior to its collapse. It suggests that the regulator's evidence-gathering processes may not have included the routine collection of presentation materials from operators, a practice which could hinder effective oversight.