UKGC Redacts Details on Harms Research Funding
FOI reveals Commission's correspondence with UKRI on new research initiatives, but key details are withheld.
The UK Gambling Commission has released partially redacted documents following a Freedom of Information request. The files detail its communications with UK Research and Innovation about new gambling harms research funding, but personal data has been removed, limiting full transparency.
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UKGC Releases Partially Redacted Research Correspondence
A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure has revealed that the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) engaged in discussions regarding the terms of major new gambling harms research funding, but has withheld key details from public view.
In response to a request dated 11 July 2025, the regulator released a single, partially redacted document detailing its correspondence with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The communications relate to two significant funding opportunities published by UKRI on 23 June 2025:
- The UKRI Gambling Harms Research Coordination Centre (GHRCC)
- Gambling harms research and innovation partnerships
Why This Matters
The independence and focus of gambling-related research are critical for developing effective consumer protection policies. This research informs everything from affordability checks to marketing restrictions. The UKGC’s involvement in shaping the terms of reference for such funding is significant, and transparency around these discussions is essential for public trust. It allows consumers and independent bodies to assess whether the research agenda is being set without undue influence.
Details of the Disclosure
The FOI request sought all correspondence between the UKGC and UKRI from 1 June 2025 to 11 July 2025 concerning the new research funding. The Commission’s response confirmed it held relevant information but applied a “partial exemption” to its disclosure.
The regulator released a 2.4 MB PDF file titled “Binder1 Redacted,” but withheld certain information, citing Section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This exemption was used to redact personal data, including the names, job titles, and email addresses of individuals involved in the correspondence. The UKGC stated that disclosing this information would contravene data protection principles.
Furthermore, the Commission explicitly noted that it had not included any meeting invitations or media reports within the disclosed documents, limiting the scope of the information made public.
Significance for the Industry
This disclosure confirms that the Gambling Commission was actively involved in communications about the framework for crucial new research into gambling harms. However, the decision to redact the identities of the officials involved makes it impossible for the public to know who specifically at the Commission was shaping these discussions and at what level.
For consumers, this lack of complete transparency may raise questions about the independence of the resulting research. While the release provides a partial window into the process, the redactions and exclusions mean a full picture of the Commission's influence on the UK's future gambling harms research agenda remains unclear.