UKGC Reveals Talks with Health Body OHID

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UKGC Releases Redacted Correspondence with Public Health Body

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request has confirmed ongoing collaboration between the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID). The release, dated 26 July 2024, provides a glimpse into the working relationship between the gambling regulator and the government’s public health experts, but heavy redactions limit full transparency.

Why This Matters

The UK government's recent gambling reforms are built on treating gambling-related harm as a public health issue. OHID is the key government body responsible for public health analysis and policy. Evidence of its collaboration with the UKGC is significant, as it indicates that health expertise is being incorporated into the development and enforcement of gambling regulation. For consumers, this suggests that new rules and protections are being shaped by health-focused data and advice, not just industry or economic considerations.

Breakdown of the Disclosure

The request asked for all correspondence between the two organisations from 1 December 2023 onwards. In response, the UKGC released a single, heavily redacted 10.9 MB PDF file containing the communications that fell within the scope of the request.

However, the Commission chose to withhold significant information, citing specific exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act 2000:

• Administrative Details: Meeting invitations, scheduling, and feedback from webinars were withheld, with the UKGC stating they could review this decision if the requester specified an interest.
• Personal Data: Names and email addresses of individuals involved in the correspondence were redacted under Section 40(2) of the Act. The UKGC argued that there was no legitimate public interest in disclosing this personal information that would override the individuals' data protection rights.

This means that while the public can see that discussions are taking place, the identities of the specific officials involved and the full substance of their conversations remain private.

Industry Significance

The existence of this dialogue confirms that a formal link exists between the regulator and public health officials, a key pillar of the modernised approach to gambling safety. It suggests that OHID's data and analysis on gambling harm are likely influencing the UKGC's strategic direction and regulatory policies, such as the ongoing consultations on financial risk checks and marketing rules.

While the collaboration is a positive sign for a health-led approach, the lack of complete transparency is a crucial caveat. The redactions prevent the public and consumer protection groups from fully scrutinising the nature of the advice given by OHID and how it is being interpreted or implemented by the UKGC. It confirms a process is in place, but the outcomes and specific details of that process remain largely behind closed doors.